DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


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in  2016  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/officialhistoryo01grim 


Fraternally  yours, 

WILLIAM  H.  GRIMSHAW. 


OFFICIAL 

HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

AMONG  THE  COLORED  PEOPLE  IN  NORTH  AMERICA 


Tracing  the  growth  of  Masonry  from  1717  down  to  the  present  day, 
bringing  to  light  many  interesting  facts  unknown  to  the  great  body 
of  the  Craft.  Also  giving  an  account  of  the  introduction  of  Free- 
masonry into  America,  its  origin  and  practice  among  Negroes, 
the  establishment  of  Subordinate  and  Grand  Lodges,  Royal 
Arch  Chapters,  Commanderies,  the  Scottish  Rite,  Nobles 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and  the  Ancient  Rite  of  Memphis, 
with  its  ninety-seven  degrees,  to  which  is  appended 
much  general  information  tending  to  show  the 
progress  of  .he  race  in  citizenship,  business, 
education,  wealth,  with  the  names  of  promi- 
nent Americans  who  have  become  famous 
in  the  Craft  and  other  walks  of  life. 

BY 

WM.  H.  GRIM  SHAW 


BROADWAY  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 


MONTREAL  — NEW  YORK  — LONDON 


Copyright,  1903, 


BY 

WILLIAM  HENRY  GRLMSHAW, 


j 

I 


i 

Sold  only  by  Subscription 
through  authorized  Agents, 
and  not  to  be  had  at  book- 
stores. Anyone  desiring  a 
copy  should  address 
W.  H.  Grtmshaw. 

247  Tenth  Street.  N.  E., 
Washington,  D.  C. 


JJCOto 


TO  THE  GRAND  ARCHITECT  OF  THE  UNIVERSE, 

AND  IN  MEMORY  OF  THE 

LONG  LINE  OF  ILLUSTRIOUS  BRETHREN 

IN  THE 

GRAND  LODGE  ABOVE, 

AND  TO  THE  CAUSE  OF  TRUTH  AND  RIGHT 

THIS  VOLUME  IS 

FRATERNALLY  AND  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED  BY 


THE  AUTHOR. 


FOREWORD. 


MASONIC  TEMPLE, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  A.  D.  1902.  A.  L.  5902. 

To  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  Brethren  of  every  de- 
gree, 

We  the  undersigned,  having  been  connected  with  Free- 
masonry for  many  years,  served  in  every  elective  position 
known  to  the  Craft,  established  Lodges,  Chapters,  Councils, 
and  Encampments  of  the  various  orders  of  Freemasonry  in 
xlmerica  among  colored  men,  under  and  by  authority  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  1717,  and  other  Grand  Gov- 
erning bodies  of  competent  jurisdiction.  In  this  capacity 
we  have  examined  the  manuscript  of  W.  H.  Grimshaw  P. 
D.  G.  M.,  entitled  “OFFICIAL  HISTOEY  OF  FREE- 
MASONRY  AMONG  COLORED  PEOPLE  IN  NORTH 
AMERICA/’  and  cordially  recommend  it  to  the  perusal  of 
every  Freemason,  and  especially  to  the  race,  as  being  a 
correct  statement  of  facts.  It  begins  with  the  Mother 
Grand  Lodge,  London,  England,  1717,  and  traces  the 
growth  of  Masonry  (especially  among  the  colored  people), 
down  to  the  present  day,  bringing  out  interesting  facts  un- 
known to  many  members  of  the  Craft  and  gives  the  origin, 
dates  of  organization,  and  establishment,  of  Subordinate 
and  Grand  Lodges,  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  Commanderies, 
the  Scottish  Rite,  Nobles  of  Mystic  Shrine  and  the  Rite 
of  Memphis,  etc.,  in  the  several  States  and  Territories. 
The  book  is  an  official  reference  not  only  as  to  Free- 
masonry in  North  America,  but  as  to  the  growth  and 
progress  of  the  race  as  well.  It  will  be  found  to  be  a valu- 
able work,  since  it  is  the  only  history  published  which 
deals  with  Freemasonry,  together  with  the  growth  and 
wealth  of  the  colored  people  in  America. 

We  are  confident  that  its  reception  by  the  Craft,  will  be 
equally  sustained  and  its  merits  will  place  it  among  the 

45C848 


VI 


Foreword. 


most  valuable  reference  books  of  the  Twentieth  Century. 
Many  of  its  chapters  furnish  suggestive  reading  for  those 
who  would  like  to  know  something  of  the  great  Brother- 
hood, prior  to  seeking  admittance  to  its  ranks. 

We  can,  as  Craftsmen,  take  our  stand  on  actual  minutes 
of  Lodges,  Chapters,  Councils  and  Commanderies,  begin- 
ning in  the  United  States  as  early  as  1775,  and  presenting 
an  unbroken  series  of  records  to  the  present  year,  sup- 
ported on  one  hand  by  copies  of  the  “Old  Charges”  and 
laws  dating  from  the  Fourteenth  Century,  and,  on 
the  other,  by  special  regulations  of  the  Craft  some  three 
centuries  later. 

Fraternally  yours, 

R.  H.  Gleaves,  P.  G.  M.  33d  degree ; 96  degree. 

Thornton  A.  Jackson.  33d  degree;  96  degree.  M. 
P.  Sir  Commander;  U.  S.  Council,  33d  de- 
gree A.  A.  S.  R.  Southern  Jurisdiction,  U.  S. 

John  A.  Gray,  Sr.,  33d  degree 

John  W.  Freeman,  33d  degree. 


PREFACE. 


In  sending  forth  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  the  pub- 
lic a volume  of  this  description,  it  would  be  well  to  state 
that  it  was  the  original  intention  of  the  author  and  com- 
piler, to  only  prepare  a history  of  the  Craft  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  but  upon  the  earnest  solicitation  of  many 
Masonic  friends,  he  has  consented  to  enlarge  the  work  so 
that  it  will  also  include  the  history  of  the  Craft  in  each 
State  of  the  Union. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  work,  two  objects  have  been 
kept  in  mind.  First  that  Masons  and  other  readers  might 
have  a true  official  history  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity 
among  colored  men  in  the  United  States.  Heretofore  there 
has  been  no  publication  to  which  we  could  conveniently 
refer  concerning  the  legitimacy  of  -the  order  in  America, 
consequently  our  detractors  have  taken  advantage  of  this 
weakness  and  invariably  tried  to  convince  the  world  that 
negro  Masonry  in  America  did  not  emanate  from  the  same 
source  as  white  Masonry,  hence  it  was  of  a spurious  kind 
and  could  not  be  recognized. 

Every  fair  minded  reader  will  see  at  a glance  that  the 
origin  and  practice  of  Freemasonry  among  colored 
men  in  the  United  States,  came  direct  from  the  Mother 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  world,  London,  England,  in  1784. 
This  is  substantiated  by  the  original  charters,  old  records 
of  lodges,  and  the  manuscripts  of  old  masons  in  the  United 
States  This  disposes,  at  once,  of  our  detractors’  bill  of 
complaint  for  want  of  truth. 

Second,  the  author  believes  it  to  be  his  duty  to  write 
this  book,  having  in  his  possession  many  facts  relative  to 
the  advancement  of  the  colored  people  since  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War,  which  might  serve  to  enlighten  the  uninformed, 
and  also  inspire  the  younger  generation  to  a higher  devel- 
opment. 


viii 


Preface. 


In  presenting  this  work,  the  author  is  fully  conscious 
of  its  literary  defects,  but  dares  not  sacrifice  the  truth  of 
history  even  for  literary  excellence. 

If,  in  treating  the  events  of  the  past,  injustice  has  been 
done'  to  the  living  or  the  dead,  the  author  wishes  it  under- 
stood that  it  was  not  with  evil  intention. 


INTRODUCTION. 

No  institution  of  ancient  or  modern  times  has  done 
more  for  the  uplifting  of  the  human  race  and  the  upbuild- 
ing of  what  is  known  as  society,  than  Freemasonry. 

The  secret  order  of  Freemasonry  is  one  of  the  most  in- 
spiring and  elevating  influences  of  civilization  and  its 
power  for  good  is  as  limitless  as  its  lessons  are  far  reaching. 

The  search  and  the  longing  for  merely  material  things 
is  bound  to  bring  distress  and  disaster.  Eecall  the  fate 
of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,,  whose  sin  caused  its  own  de- 
struction; consider  the  fate  of  egotistical  Greece;  learn 
the  lesson  taught  by  the-  life  of  the  Great  Alexander. 

Where  would  modern  civilization  be  to-day  were  it  not 
for  the  uplifting  and  ennobling  influence  of  the  teachings 
of  the  Saviour?  What  would  the  United  States  be  had 
it  not  been  for  the  band  of  devoted  men — those  godly  peo- 
ple, of  undaunted  courage,  who  braved  every  danger  to 
found  a nation  where  spirituality  and  brotherly  love  should 
prevail  and  rule. 

Second  only  to  the*  church  has  been  the  influence  wielded 
by  Freemasonry,  whose  noble  precepts  and  incentives  to 
higher  purposes  has  made  it  a power  for  untold  good. 
And  many  a deed  of  unsung  heroism  has  been  done  in  the 
cause  of  Freemasonry,  that  its  teachings  might  live  and  its 


X 


Introduction. 


secrecy  be  nndefiled.  Equally  countless  are  the  good  deeds 
done  in  its  name — done  for  no-  prospective  reward,  nor  for 
selfish  remuneration.  Whatever  Freemasonry  has  done 
was  inspired  by  the  spirit  of  fraternal  helpfulness  and  love 
for  fellowman. 

Since  the  foundation  of  Solomon's  Temple,  when  Free- 
masonry is  supposed  to  have  been  founded,  to  the  present 
day,  this  great  body  has  kept  its  original  forms  and  laws. 
Human  thought  has  not  been  able  to  improve  upon  them, 
nor  adverse  criticism  to«  change  them,  for  they  hold  the 
fundamental  truism  of  life,  and  shed  from  the  radiant 
altar  of  their  holy  purpose,  the  light  of  divine  truth. 

The  world’s  greatest  men  have  been  Masons : its  most 
famous  warriors;  its  most  gentle  scholars.  Witnin  the 
realms  of  Freemasonry  these  beings  of  diverse  occupation, 
of  one  common  mind,  have  met  in  the  broad  communion  of 
brotherly  love. 

Could  self-interest,  greed,  venality  and  kindred  short- 
comings of  humanity  be  eliminated  and  the  watchword  of 
Freemasonry  be  emblazoned  on  every  heart  and  in  every 
home,  this  world  would  be  within  hail  of  the  millennium. 

In  literature,  as  in  other  lines  of  progressive  endeavor, 
there  are  many  unexplored  fields,  which  await  the  master 
hand  and  mind  of  the  learned  author  to  place  them  before 
the  reading  public.  The  pages  of  this  hook  contain  au- 
thoritative facts  which  are  as  interesting  as  they  are  valu- 
ablevas  records.  They  tell  a hitherto  unpublished  chapter 
in  the  history  of  Freemasonry  among  the  negro. 


Introduction. 


xi 


For  centuries  the  negro  has  been,  through  circumstances 
and  environment,  degraded  and  oppressed.  Generations 
passed,  and  until  within  the  memory  of  living  man,  knowl- 
edge has  been  denied  him.  The  last  few  years  has  seen  a 
change  and  soon  the  negro  will  take  his  stand  among  the 
rest  of  mankind,  his  mental,  physical  and  social  equal. 
And  Freemasonry  has  had  much  to  do  with  the  remarkably 
rapid  advance  the  negro  has  made,  hence  the  value  of  this 
hook. 

The  author  has  done  his  work  well  and  thoroughly,  and 
having  had  access  to  various  Masonic  libraries  and  manu- 
scripts, he  has  produced  a volume  which  should  be  of  use 
alike  to  the  casual  reader  and  to  the  student. 

Joseph  Tyler  Butts. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Introduction  is 

CHAPTER  I. 

Origin  of  Freemasonry 1 

CHAPTER  II. 

Solomon’s  Temple — Masonry  an  Organized  Society 11 

CHAPTER  III. 

Freemasonry  a Stupendous  Factor  for  Good 23 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Ancient  Landmarks 29 

CHAPTER  V. 

Freemasonry  in  England 35 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Masonic  Monuments 49 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Freemasonry  in  America 58 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Prince  Hall,  the  First  G.  M.,  and  His  First  Lodge  of  Free- 
masons Among  Colored  Men  in  America — 1775 67 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Organization  of  the  First  Grand  Lodge  in  Massachusetts....  84v 
CHAPTER  X. 

J Nero  Prince,  Second  G.  M.  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge.  ...  96 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Freemasonry  in  Pennsylvania — 1797 108 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Freemasonry  in  Rhode  Island — 1797 122 


vi  Contents. 

CHAPTER  XIII.  page 

Freemasonry  in  New  York — 1812 124 

CHAPTER  XIY. 

Freemasonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia — 1825 131 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia 152 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Freemasonry  in  Maryland — 1825 105 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Freemasonry  in  Delaware — 1838 179 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Freemasonry  in  New  Jersey — 1845 182 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Freemasonry  in  Virginia — 1845 187 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Origin  of  National  Grand  Lodge — 1S47 189 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Freemasonry  in  Ohio  and  its  Jurisdiction — 1S47 206 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Freemasonry  in  Indiana — 1848 214 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Freemasonry  in  California — 1849 217 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Freemasonry  in  Illinois — 1851 220 

' CHAPTER  XXV. 

Freemasonry  in  Kentucky — 1851 .- 231 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Freemasonry  in  Louisiana  and  Canada — 1851 234 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Freemasonry  in  Michigan — 1859 237 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Freemasonry  in  Connecticut — 1S59 245 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Freemasonry  in  Missouri — 1865 246 


Contents.  vii 

CHAPTER  XXX.  ,,AQE 

Freemasonry  in  Kansas — 1865 255 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Freemasonry  in  North  Carolina — 1865 258 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Freemasonry  in  South  Carolina — 1865 263 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Freemasonry  in  Georgia — 1865 265 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Freemasonry  in  Colorado — 1867 267 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Freemasonry  in  Florida — 1867 . . . 272 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Freemasonry  in  Tennessee — 1867 277 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Freemasonry  in  Mississippi — 1868 281 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Freemasonry  in  Arkansas — 1868 287 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Freemasonry  in  Alabama — 1869 288 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Freemasonry  in  Iowa — 1870 291 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Freemasonry  in  Texas — 1872,  Oklahoma — 1875,  West  Vir- 
ginia— 1877,  Wisconsin — 1S78,  Oregon — 1884,  and 
Washington — 1884  . : 294 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

Freemasonry  in  Montana,  New  Mexico  and  Nevada — 1885.  . 297 
CHAPTER  XLIII. 

Freemasonry  in  Minnesota — 1888,  Utah — 1S90,  Wyoming — 

1898,  Arizona — 1899 300 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Masonry — Its  Divisions  and  Gradations — Its  Powers,  Re- 
strictions and  Relations 306 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Knights  Templars  313 


viii  Contents. 


CHAPTER  XLVI.  page 

Rules  of  Government 318 

CHAPTER  XLYII. 

Origin  of  Royal  Arch  Masons — 1738 33G 

CHAPTER  XLYIII. 

Knights  Templars  among  Colored  Men 341 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite — 1758 343 

CHAPTER  L. 

The  Lodges  of  Adoption 359 

CHAPTER  LI. 

Distinguished  Men  Masons 3G2 

CHAPTER  LII. 

Masonic  Forms,  etc. — Petition  to  Open  a New  Lodge 372 

CHAPTER  LIII. 

Growth  and  Wealth  of  the  Negro  in  America 


388 


IMPORTANT  MASONIC  CHRONOLOGICAL 
EVENTS. 


A.  M.  Anno  Mundi. 

1775  Tower  of  Babel  destroyed. 

2292  The  Temple  of  Solomon  commenced. 

2299  Solomon's  Temple  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God. 

3029  Death  of  Solomon. 

3033  Shiska,  King  of  Egypt,  pillaged  the  Temple  of  the  Holy 
Vessels. 

3380  Kilkeah  discovers  a copy  of  the  book  of  law. 

341G  The  Temple  destroyed  by  Nebuchadnezzar. 

3466  Cyrus,  King  of  Persia  takes  Babylon  and  gives  the  gov- 
ernment thereof  to  Darius. 

3468  Cyrus,  coming  into  possession  of  the  entire  Persian  Em- 
pire, issues  his  famous  edict.  Thus  said  Cyrus,  King 
of  Persia,  etc. — Ezra  1,  2,  3 and  4th  verses.  This 
year  in  accordance  with  the  edict  of  Cyrus,  the  .Tews 
return  to  Jerusalem. 

34G9  The  foundations  of  the  second  Temple  laid  on  the  ruins  of 
the  first. 

3482  The  work  is  interrupted  by  the  influence  of  the  Samaritans 
upon  the  King. 

3484  Joshua  and  Zerubbabel  incited  by  Haggai  proceed  with  the 
work  by  order  of  Darius. 

34S9  The  second  Temple  is  completed. 

A.  D.  Anno  Domini. 

70  Jerusalem  destroyed  by  T'itus. 

287  St.  Alban  formed  the  first  Lodge  of  operated  Masons  in 
Britain. 

920  King  Athelstan  granted  a charter  to  Freemasons. 

920  Prince  Edwin  formed  a Grand  Lodge  at  York. 

1118  Order  of  Knights  Templars  instituted. 

1219  Knights  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre  instituted. 

1425  Masons’  Assemblies  prohibited  by  Parliament. 

1450  Henry  VI.  initiated. 

1500  Grand  Masters  of  the  Knights  of  Malta,  Patrons  of 
Masonry. 

1G07  Inigo  Jones  constituted  several  Lodges. 

1637  Earl  of  St.  Albans  regulated  the  Lodges. 


X 

1675 

1090 

1710 

1717 

1720 

1720 

1723 

1723 

1724 

1726 

1728 

1729 

1735 

1737 

1738 

1747 

1706 

176S 

1773 

1774 

1775 

1775 

1775 

1776 

1777 

1781 

1787 

1790 

1791 

1790 

1795 

1796 

1808 

1813 

1813 

1815 

1820 

1820 


Important  Masonic  Chronological  Events. 

St.  Paul's  begun  by  Freemasons. 

William  111.  initiated. 

St.  Paul's  completed  by  Freemasons. 

Grand  Lodge  revived  Anthony  Sayer,  Esq.,  G.  M. 

Valuable  MSS.  by  scrupulous  Brethren. 

Office  of  Deputy  Grand  Master  revived. 

Book  of  Constitution  published. 

Grand  Secretary  first  appointed. 

Grand  Treasurer  first  appointed. 

Provincial  Grand  Masters  first  appointed. 

Grand  Stewarts  appointed. 

Lord  Kingston  gave  valuable  presents  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Emperor  of  Germany  initiated. 

Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales,  initiated. 

The  Crown  Prince  of  Prussia.  Frederick  the  Great, 
initiated. 

Public  processions  on  Feast  Days  discontinued. 

Their  It.  H.  the  Dukes  of  York  and  Gloucester  initiated. 

Registering  regulations  commenced. 

Joseph  Warren  appointed  Provincial  G.  M.  by  the  G.  51. 
of  Scotland. 

The  King  of  Prussia  sanctioned  the  Grand  Lodge  at 
Berlin. 

Joseph  Warren  killed  at  Bunker  Hill. 

Prince  Hall  instituted  the  first  Dodge  of  Negro  Freemasons 
in  North  America. 

Grand  Chaplain  elected. 

Freemasons’  Calendar  published  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Masons  imprisoned  at  Naples. 

H.  R.  II.  Henry  Fred,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  elected  G.  M. 

H.  R.  II.  the  Prince  of  Wales,  late  King  George  IV., 
initiated. 

FI.  R.  II.  Duke  of  Kent  initiated. 

Prince  Hall  appointed  Provincial  G.  M. 

The  Frince  of  Wales,  elected  G.  M.  on  the  death  of  the 
Duke  of  Cumberland. 

II.  R.  H.  Prince  William  of  Gloucester  initiated. 

H.  R.  H.  Duke  of  Cumberland.  King  of  Hanover,  ini- 
tiated. 

H.  R.  H.  Duke  of  Sussex  initiated. 

H.  R.  II.  the  Duke  of  Sussex  elected  Grand  Master. 

Reunion  of  all  the  Freemasons  of  England  under  H.  R. 
H.  the  Duke  of  Sussex  as  G.  M.,  the  27th  of 
December. 

Constitution  of  the  United  Grant.  Dodge  published. 

George  IV.,  after  his  accession,  signified  his  pleasure  to 
continue  patron. 

H.  R.  H.  the  Duke  of  Sussex.  G.  51.,  gave  fine  superb 
carved  and  gilt  -chairs  with  velvet  cushions  to  the 
Grand  Lodge. 


Important  Masonic  Chronological  Events.  xi 

1822  H.  R.  H.  the  Duke  of  York  as  P.  D.  G.  M.  laid  the  founda- 
tion stone  of  Eton  and  Windsor  Bridge. 

1826  Anti-Masonry  commenced  its  storms  in  New  York. 

1827  Foundation  stone  of  London  University  laid  by  the  Duke 

of  Sussex,  Grand  Master.  Suspension  bridge  Ham- 
mersmith by  the  Duke  of  Sussex. 

1827  Caledonian  Asylum  by  the  Duke  of  Sussex. 

1834  Death  of  Lafayette. 

1838  A piece  of  plate,  solid  gold,  weighing  1,800  ounces,  presented 
to  H.  R.  H.  the  Duke  of  Sussex  on  completing  his 
twenty-five  years  as  G.  M.,  by  the  Lodges. 

1842  G.  L.  gave  five  hundred  pounds  to  establish  the  Freema- 

sons’ Female  School. 

1843  H.  R.  H.  the  Duke  of  Sussex  died  the  21st  of  April. 

1844  The  Earl  of  Zetland,  Prov.  G.  M.,  installed  as  G.  M.  of 

England. 

1845  Her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria  gave  fifty  pounds  to  the 

Royal  Masonic  fund. 

1846  A marble  statue  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  executed  by 

Brother  E.  H.  Bailey,  R.  A.,  by  vote  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  placed  in  Freemasons’  Hall  on  the  29th 
of  April. 

1847  The  Grand  Chapter  of  England  granted  one  hundred 

pounds  per  annum  to  the  General  Charity  funds. 

1849  Thirty-five  pounds  per  annum  to  the  Widows’  fund. 

1849  Widows’  fund  established,  G.  L.  gives  one  hundred  pounds 
per  annum. 

1852  Nov.  4th,  Centenary  Anniversary  of  Washington's  initia- 
tion celebrated  by  the  several  Grand  Lodges. 

Henry  Clay  died. 


1852 


OFFICIAL 


HISTORY  OF  FREEMASONRY 

AMONG  THE 

COLORED  PEOPLE  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  1. 


ORIGIN  OF  FREEMASONRY. 

The. origin  of  Freemasonry*  was  formerly  vague  and  un- 
certain. At  the  present  day,  however,  owing  to  the  scientific 
researches  of  a few  Masonic  historians,  who  have  entered 
this  field  of  darkness  with  the  determination  to  lay  aside  all 
the  commonly  received  opinions  and  traditions  upon  the 
subject,  this  obscurity  has  disappeared. 

The  foundation  of  Masonry  was  laid  when  men  com- 
menced to  inhabit  the  earth.  “They  associated  themselves 
together  in  tribes  or  lodges  for  mutual  support,  thereby 
being  better  enabled  to  guard  themselves  against  the  at- 

*Stieubrenner:  Origin  of  Masonry. 

A.  Cassard:  Masoneria. 

Zoroaster:  The  author  of  the  Zendavesta  1,100  years  before 

Christ. 

Hermippus:  The  Greek  translator  500  years  before  the  taking 

of  Troy. 

Strabo:  Said  “that  this  secret  society  surrounded  the  things 

that  are  holy  with  a mysterious  obscurity,  so  as  to  make  Divin- 
ity venerable.” 

Philostratus:  Said  “these  secret  societies  surrounded  them- 

selves with  clouds.” 


2 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

tacks  of  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forest.  They  held  their 
assemblies  often  on  the  highest  hills,  or  in  the  lowest  vales, 
to  prevent  being  taken  by  surprise.” 

Our  ancient  brethren  continued  these  convocations  until 
the  year  715  B.  C.  Brother  Numa  Pompilius,  a Mason  of 
high  standing  and  integrity,  discovered  the  art  of  cement- 
ing rocks  together  by  the  use  of  clay.  He  was  acknowl- 
edged at  once  to  be  a master  builder.  He  built  and  dedi- 
cated public  buildings  to  the  sun,  moon  and  stars.  He  was 
also  the  founder  of  the  College  of  Roman  Constructors, 
embracing  all  the  arts  and  trades.  In  this  year  also,  the 
mysteries  of  the  Egyptians  passed  through  Moses  to  the 
Jewish  people  and  were  disseminated  among  the  Greeks 
and  Romans.  Among  the  latter  they  were  introduced  in 
part  into  the  College  of  Builders  or  Masons,  instituted  by 
Nuraa  Pompilius. 

The  colleges  were,  at  their  organization,  religious  so- 
cieties as  well  as  fraternities  of  artisans.  They  had  their 
own  laws  determined  with  precision.  In  Persia  and  in 
India  many  were  to  be  found  anterior  to  this  period. 

They  had  the  exclusive  privilege  of  constructing  temples 
and  monuments,  and,  usually  after  the  labors  of  the  day. 
convened  in  their  respective  lodges,  where  they  determined 
the  distribution  and  execution  of  the  work.  Here  also 
were  initiated  the  new  members  into  the  secrets  and  par- 
ticular mysteries  of  the  art. 

These  initiates  were  divided  into  three  classes,  Ap- 
prentices, Fellows  and  Masters.  They  bound  themselves 
by  oath  to  afford  each  other  succor  and  assistance.  They 
elected  a master  builder.  Before  opening  their  lodges, 
they  entered  into  religious  ceremonies,  and  each  appren- 
tice was  carefully  instructed  in  the  use  of  the  level,  square, 
mallet  and  chisel,  and  certain  signs  and  symbols.  Em- 
peror Tiberius  Claudius  organized  in  the  year  43,  A.  D.. 
in  the  British  Isles,  a lodge  of  builders  or  Masons.  Here 
the  feeling  of  common  brotherhood  spread  and  was  devel- 
oped among  them  and  gave  to  the  Masonic  Lodges  the  pe- 
culiar character  which  distinguished  them  at  this  period. 
Carausius  landed  on  the  Britain  Island,  and  in  28v,  A. 
D.,  declared  his  independence  of  Rome  and  took  the  title 
of  Emperor. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  3 

The  two  cities,  St.  Albans  and  York,  became,  in  295,  the 
most  influential  in  Britain,  and  here  were  founded  the 
oldest  Lodges  of  the  Masonic  corporation,  and  this  latter 
city,  from  that  time,  became  the  center  of  all  the  Lodges 
of  Freemasons  in  Britain. 

In  those  days  it  was  customary  to  dedicate  and  conse- 
crate to  some  saint  every  structure  intended  for  the  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  with  the  like  idea  all  the  corporations  of 
artists,  artisans,  and  trades  chose  patron  saints.  The  Free- 


The  Roman  Forum. 

masons  chose  St.  John  the  Baptist  for  theirs,  because  his 
feast  fell  on  the  24th  of  June,  the  date  of  the  Summer 
solstice.  This  day  had  always  been  celebrated  by  the  peo- 
ple of  antiquity,  and  by  Masons,  since  the  foundation  of 
their  fraternity,  as  the  period  of  the  year  when  the  sun 
has  attained  its  greatest  height.  Yature  is  clothed  and 
deports  herself  in  the  greatest  abundance  of  her  richest 
products.  As  successors  of  the  ancient  colleges  of  the  Bo- 


4 Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

mans,  the  Freemasons  of  England  preserved  these  cher- 
ished feasts. 

The  Roman  Forum. — If  there  is  classic  ground  any- 
where in  Rome,  it  is  at  the  spot  shown  in  the  preceding 
picture. 

Mr.  George  S.  Hillard  said:  “Who  that  has  the  least 
sense  of  what  the  present  owes  to  the  past,  can  approach 
such  a spot  without  reverence  and  enthusiasm  ? Especially, 
what  member  of  the  legal  profession,  unless  his  heart  be 
dry  as  parchment,  and  worn  as  the  steps  of  a court  house, 
can  fail  to  do  homage  to  the  genius  of  a place  where  juris- 
prudence was  reared  into  a perfect  system,  while  Druids 
were  yet  cutting  the  mistletoe  on  the  site  of  Westminster 
Hall  ?” 

Here  in  the  vicinity  of  the  few  standing  columns,  we 
ponder  over  Rome’s  ancient  glory.  The  relics  are  remind- 
ers of  famous  names  and  deeds  which,  long  ago  passed  into 
eternity. 

Freemasonry  Transmitted. — The  institution  of  Free- 
masonry reaches  back  until  it  loses  itself  among  the  myth- 
ological shadows  of  the  past.  Its  grand  rituals  and  elo- 
quent language  of  signs  and  symbols  originating  in  those 
distant  ages,  afford  a field  for  exploration  which  can  never 
be  thoroughly  traversed. 

Transmitted  to  us  by  remote  generations,  it  is  plain  that 
before  we  can,  in  any  degree,  appreciate  Freemasonry,  or 
understand  the  significance  of  its  mysteries,  we  must  go 
back  to  the  past,  and  question  the  founders  of  the  order. 
We  must  learn  in  what  necessities  of  human  nature,  and 
for  what  purpose  it  was  created.  We  must  discover  the 
true  genesis  of  our  rites,  and  become  familiar  with  the 
ideas  which  the  fathers  intended  to  shadow  forth  through 
them,  and  impress-  upon  the  mind.  From  age  to  age. 
through  countless  generations,  these  rites  have  conveyed 
their  sublime  lessons  of  wisdom,  hope,  peace  and  warn- 
ing. 

To  the  Sons  of  Light  the  same  lessons  are  taught  to-day. 
But  do  we  see  in  them  what  they  did  ? Do  they  impress 
us  as  they  impressed  them?  Or  do  they  pass  before  our 
eyes  like  a panorama  of  some  unknown  land,  which  has  no 
delineator  to  tell  us  what  or  where  it  is,  or  give  us  any 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  5 

intelligible  notion  regarding  it?  It  is  onr  duty  to  make 
Freemasonry  the  object  of  a profound  study.  We  must 
consult  the  past,  we  must  stand  by  Osiris  in  Egypt,  enter 
the  caverns  of  Phrygia  and  hold  communion  with  the 
Cabiri,  penetrate  the  Collegia  Fabrorum  of  Ancient  Rome, 
and  work  in  the  mystic  circle  of  Sidon. 

We  must  pursue  our  researches  until  we  find  the 
thought  that  lay  in  the  minds  of  those  who  created  the 
institution  and  founded  our  mysteries.  Then  we  shall 
know  precisely  what  they  mean ; we  shall  see  in  them  a 
grand  series  of  moral  and  philosophical  dramas,  most 
eloquent  and  instructive,  gleaming  with  sublime  ideas,  as 
the  heavens  glow  with  stars. 

Object  of  Freemasonry. — The  real  object  of  Freema- 
sonry, in  a philosophical  and  religious  sense,  is  the  search 
for  truth.  This  truth  is  therefore  symbolized  by  the  world 
from  the  first  entrance  of  the  apprentice  into  the  Lodge 
and  until  his  reception  of  the  highest  degree,  this  search 
is  continued.  It  is  not  always  found ; yet  whatever  may 
be  the  labor  he  may  perform,  whatever  the  ceremonies 
through  which  he  may  pass,  whatever  the  symbols  in  which 
he  may  obtain,  the  true  end  of  all  is  the  attainment  of 
truth. 

This  idea  of  truth  is  not  the  same  as  that  expressed  in 
the  lectures  of  the  first  degree  when  brotherly  love,  relief 
and  truth  are  there  said  to  be  the  “three  great  tenets  of 
the  Mason’s  profession.”  In  that  connection,  truth  which 
is  called  a divine  attribute,  the  foundation  of  every  virtue, 
is  synonymous  with  sincerity,  honesty  of  expression  and 
plain  dealing. 

The  higher  idea  of  truth  which  pervades  the  whole 
Masonic  system,  and  which  is  symbolized  by  the  world, 
is  that  which  is  properly  expressed  in  a knowledge  of  God. 

Independent  of  God,  there  is  no  knowledge,  no  wisdom 
and  no  truth;  and  without  Him  they  cannot  exist.  It  is 
impossible  for  man  to  discover  a truth  which  has  not 
always  existed ; therefore  we  say,  the  truths  of  Masonry 
are  co-equal  and  co-external  with  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the 
universe. 

The  principles  of  Freemasonry  have  survived  the 
fall  of  man,  the  destruction  of  the  flood  and  the  con- 


6 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

fusion  of  tongues;  yea,  they  have  survived  the  rise  and 
fall  of  empires  and  the  decay  of  republic ; these  principles 
were  matured  at  the  cradle  of  new-born  nations,  and  have 
hallowed  the  graves  of  sleeping  heroes ; were  triumphant 
as  the  mighty  flood  and  everlasting  as  the  mountains ; have 
spanned  the  vast  oceans  and  planted  the  banner  of  Mason- 
ry in  every  clime  and  nation  under  the  sun. 

Masonry  has  tamed  the  savages,  helped  to  civilize 
nations,  establish  law  and  order,  upheld  personal  libertv 
and  human  rights,  patronized  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences, 
disseminated  knowledge  and  wisdom,  proclaimed  the  uni- 
versal brotherhood  of  man  and  the  great  central  truth — 
one  eternal  and  immutable  Grand  Master  of  Heaven  and 
earth,  to  whom  every  Mason  owes  his  unswerving  and  un- 
dying allegiance. 

Like  all  truths,  the  principles  of  Masonry  are  founded 
on  the  everlasting  granite  rock,  and  nothing  can  shake 
them. 

“Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again. 

Th’  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers, 

But  error,  wounded,  writhes  in  pain, 

And  dies  among  her  worshipers.” 

The  study  of  Masonry  leads  man  to  the  correct 
knowledge  of  God;  the  correct  knowledge  of  God 
leads  to  the  true  worship  of  Him,  and  the  true 
worship  of  Him  places  man  in  harmony  with  all 
that  is  true  and  good,  enlarging  his  powers  for  usefulness 
in  every  vocation,  station,  position,  or  condition  in  life, 
thereby  fitting  him  for  citizenship,  in  whom  we  find  a 
true  neighbor,  a generous  friend,  and  a clear-cut  and  well 
defined  power  of  circumscribing  his  desires  and  keeping 
his  passions  in  due  bounds.  (Principles  of  Masonry.) 

Every  emblem,  principle,  and  tenet  of  Masonry,  has  been  . 
baptized  with  truth,  robed  in  the  purest  garments,  freed  of 
errors,  and  crowned  with  the  most  beautiful  wreath  of  un- 
dying wisdom.  This  is  time  to  him  only,  who.  by  industry, 
diligence  and  perseverance  will  have  it  so.  He  who  is  sat- 
isfied with  a knowledge  of  esoteric  Masonry  alone,  knows 
but  little  of  the  many  sublime  truths  contained  within 
her  sacred  precincts,  which  stands  in  the  pathway  of  in- 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  7 

dustry  and  diligence  that  they  may  not  only  adorn  and 
beautify,  but  become  “as  living  stones  for  that  spiritual 
building — that  house  not  made  by  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens.”  We  touch  not  an  emblem  or  a principle  or  a 
tenet  in  Masonry,  but  that  it  vibrates  not  towards  God. 

Since  the  fall  of  man  the  world  has  been  reeling,  rock- 
ing and  swaying  bv  dynamic  forces.  An  incessant  and  an 
irrepressible  conflict  is  raging  within  each  individual, 
between  good  and  evil,  right  and  wrong,  truth  and  error, 
heaven  and  hell,  God  and  the  devil. 

The  great  truths  of  Masonry  heeded,  constitute  a se- 
curity within  and  an  impregnable  fortress  surrounding 
the  human  soul  against  which  the  weapons  of  evil  will 
fall  broken  at  our  feet,  and  we  are  as  little  harmed  as  the 
atoms  which  dance  in  the  sunbeams  and  nestle  against 
our  window  panes. 

Masonry  is  a great  highway  leading  from  wrong  to  right, 
from  error  to  truth,  from  evil  to  good,  and  from  earth  to 
heaven.  It  is  the  champion  of  wisdom,  strength,  beauty, 
virtue  and  purity,  and  the  eternal  enemy  of  ignorance, 
weakness,. ugliness,  libertinism,  vice  and  corruption. 

“Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom,  and  the  man 
that  getteth  understanding,  for  the  merchandise  of  it  is 
better  than  the  merchandise  of  silver,  and  the  gain  thereof, 
than  fine  gold.” 

“She  is  more  precious  than  rubies  and  all  the  things 
that  thou  canst  desire  are  not  to  be  compared  unto  her.” 

“The  fear  (love)  of  the  Lord  is  wisdom  and  to  depart 
from  evil  is  understanding.” 

The  Mason  has  God’s  own  material  with  which  to  con- 
struct his  spiritual  building;  material  evolved  from  his 
own  omnific  mind,  washed  and  made  pure  in  the  water  of 
the  river  of  life  and  burnished  by  the  exquisite  touch  of 
the  seraphic  host  of  heaven. 

Why  then  should  a Mason  use  this  heaven-born  mate- 
rial for  any  other  than  grand  and  glorious  purposes?  If 
he  is  true  to  the  teachings  of  the  order  and  true  to  himself, 
his  whole  being  is  dominated  and  ruled  by  the  Grand 
Master  of  all  worlds,  and  wherever  you  find  him.  at  all 
times  under  all  circumstances,  he  is  a valiant  soldier  in 
the  front  ranks,  battling  for  home,  for  family,  for  good 


8 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


The  Parthenon  op  Athens 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  9 

society,  for  education,  for  all  the  noble  and  useful  insti- 
tutions, for  law  and  order,  for  human  rights  and  good 
government. 

We  are  told  that  the  foundation  of  King  Solomon’s 
temple  was  laid  at  a profound  depth  and  consisted  of 
stones  of  immense  size  and  great  durability.  They  were 
closely  mortised  into  the  rock  so  as  to  form  a secure  basis 
for  the  substantial  erection  of  the  sacred  edifice.  So  it  is 
with  the  true  Mason:  he  reaches  the  almost  unfathomable 
depths  of  his  own  soul  and  there  he  places  the  living  stones 
of  brotherly  love,  relief,  truth,  fortitude,  prudence,  temper- 
ance and  justice,  whose  exact  weight  God  alone  knows,  and 
by  them  his  soul  is  joined  in  that  of  the  great  God  of  the 
Universe,  and  upon  this  foundation  he  builds  for  time 
and  eternity,  for  God  and  heaven. 

The  Parthenon  of  Athens. — This  world  renowned 
structure  is  now  shorn  of  its  ancient  glory,  yet  in  its 
ruined  and  dilapidated  condition  it  testifies  to  the  wealth 
and  skill  which  were  devoted  to  its  construction.  The  de- 
signer of  this  masterpiece  of  sculpture  was  Ictinus,  and  the 
date  of  its  completion  was  438  B.  C. 

It  stood  upon  the  highest  platform  of  the  Acropolis. 
The  temple  was  built  entirely  of  white  marble  from  the 
quarries  of  Mount  Pentelicus.  It  was  used  as  a store- 
house of  sacred  objects.  The  celebrated  sculptor,  Phidias, 
wrought  many  of  the  figures,  and  originated  the  designs 
that  were  produced  by  other  artists.  Its  graceful  propor- 
tions cannot  fail  to  impress  the  beholder,  for  even  in  its 
ruin  the  structure  speaks  of  the  architect’s  skill,  the  build- 
er’s strength,  and  the  artist’s  labor. 

Jacob’s  Well. — In  the  vicinity  of  Sheehem,  not  far 
away  from  Jerusalem,  one  will  see  in  the  broad  valley, 
surrounded  by  hills  and  distant  mountains,  the  well  which 
tradition  ascribes  to  the  labor  of  the  Patriarch,  Jacob. 
Often  thirsty  craftsmen  wended  their  way  to  this  place  of 
refreshment.  The  scriptural  account  is  as  follows : 

“And  Jacob  came  to  Shalem,  a city  of  Sheehem,  which 
is  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  when  he  came  from  Padan  Aram, 
and  he  pitched  his  tent  before  the  city.”  “There  Jacob 
dwelt  and  dug  a well.  It  was  by  the  side  of  this  well  that 


JO  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Jesus,  being  wearied,  reclined,  and  held  conversation  with 
a woman  of  Samaria.”  Mandrell  says,  in  “his  time,  it  was 
one  hundred  and  five  feet  in  depth.”  There  are  fragments 
of  granite  columns  to  be  found  in  the  shapeless  mass  of 
ruin  that  lie  strewn  about,  near  the  old  historic  well. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  ii 


CHAPTER  II. 

SOLOMON’S  TEMPLE. — MASONRY  AN  ORGANIZED  SOCIETY. 

Solomon’s  Temple. — The  Temple  of  Solomon  stood 
on  Mount  Moriah,  and  occupied  the  site  of  the  present 
Mosque  of  Omar,  beneath  the  dome  of  which  is  a remark- 
able rock,  fifteen  feet  above  the  level  of  the  surrounding 
platform,  evidently  left  by  design  for  a peculiar  purpose, 
and  veil  answering  to  the  account  in  I Kings,  6,  where 
it  is  stated  that  “the  door  for  the  middle  chamber  was  in 
the  right  side  of  the  house,  and  they  went  up  with  winding 
stairs  into  the  middle  chamber,  and  out  of  the  middle 
into  the  third,”  thus  establishing  the  fact  that  the  Holy  of 
Holies  was  on  an  elevated  spot,  to  which,  and  to  nothing 
else,  can  this  remarkable  roc-k  be  referred. 

There  were  employed  in  its  erection  as  follows: 


Monthly  pay  roll.  Shekels  Eq.  Dollars. 


30.000 

Entered  Apprentices, 

wages 

paid. 

30,000 

15,000 

10.000 

Fellowcrafts, 

a 

a 

442.400 

221,000 

2,000 

Markmen, 

a 

a 

18,000 

9,000 

1,000 

Mark  Masters, 

a 

a 

16.000 

8,000 

3,564 

Master  Masons, 

a 

a 

89.100 

44,550 

24 

Architects, 

a 

a 

588 

294 

72 

Excellent  Masons, 

a 

a 

4.600 

2,394 

9 

Super  Excellent  Masons, 

a 

a 

729 

364 

The  cost  of  Solomon's  Temple  was  800,000,000  shekels, 
or  in  round  numbers  about  four  hundred  million  dollars. 
Now  the  daily  pay  estimated  in  the  roll,  which  is  276,944 
shekels,  would  amount  in  one  year,  deducting  Sabbaths, 
to  $86,583,472,  or  in  the  seven  years  occupied  in  building 
the  temple  the  amount  would  be  for  labor  alone  604,845,- 
686  shekels.  Josephus  says  that  “Solomon  made  all  these 


\2  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

things  for  the  honor  of  God,  with  great  variety  and  mag- 
nificence, sparing  no  cost  but  using  all  possible  liberality 
in  adorning  the  temple.”  On  completing  the  temple  King 
Solomon  gave  the  workmen  as  a free  gift  a sum  equal  to 
about  thirty-two  millions  of  dollars. 

The  Sanctuary  and  Other  Departments  of  the 
Temple. 

The  sanctuary  of  King  Solomon’s  temple  at  Jerusalem 
was  a most  magnificent  room.  On  whichever  side  the  eyes 
were  turned,  no  wood,  stone,  iron,  copper,  or  brass  work 


Pillars  of  the  Porch. 


were  to  be  seen  ; it  was  all  pure  and  shining  gold.  The 
floor,  ceiling  and  walls  were  of  cedar,  carved  with  ‘Tnops 
and  flowers,”  and  overlaid  with  pure  gold.  The  chambers, 
of  which  there  were  three  tiers  of  thirty  each,  were  built 
in  the  walls  of  the  temple  around  the  sanctuary  and  the 
oracle.  At  the  extremity  of  the  sanctuary  was  a strong 
wall  with  a door  in  the  centre,  before  which  was  hung 
a curtain  upon  a chain  of  gold.  This  opened  into  the 
oracle  or  most  holy  place,  where  was  deposited  the  Ark 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  13 

of  God.  The  room  was  thirty  feet  in  length,  breadth  and 
height.  The  work  of  the  walls  and  floor  was  similar  to 
that  of  the  sanctuary,  though  probably  more  costly  and 
highly  finished.  The  altar  was  made  of  cedar,  and  cov- 
ered with  gold.  In  this  room  were  erected1  two  cherubims 
of  olive  wood,  fifteen  feet  high.  The  wings  of  these  beau- 
tiful and  sacred  ornaments,  reached  across  the  temple 
and  were  overlaid  with  pure  gold. 

The  extreme  minuteness  of  holy  writ  in  the  detail  of  the 
erection  of  the  temple,  the  many  singularities  of  its  con- 
struction, and  the  glorious  manifestation  at  its  dedication, 
prove  it  to  have  been  not  merely  a sanctuary  sacred  for 
the  purposes  to  which  it  was  devoted,  but  a mystery  per- 


Solomon’s  Temple. 

taming  to  the  Most  High,  and  a bond  between  Him  and 
His  chosen  people.  To  no  other  cause  can  the  reflecting 
mind:  assign  the  peculiar  favor  with  which  it  was  regarded 
or  the  continued  miracle  that  attested  it  the  chosen  dwell- 
ing-place of  the  Deity.  'What  were  the  treasures  employed 
upon  its  decoration  to  Him,  whose  breath  created  them, 
and  whose  storehouse  is  the  universe?  What  the  wisdom 
necessary  for  its  plans,  or  the  cunning  of  the  workmen  in 
their  execution,  to  Him  from  whom  all  wisdom  ema- 
nates, and  whose  mercy  hath  clothed  the  flower  of  the 
field  with  a splendor  more  gorgeous  than  the  apparel  of 
kings — more  wonderful  than  the  proudest  records  of  their 
power  ? Happy  is  the  Mason  to  whom  the  secret  key  hath 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

been  confided,  but  more  happy  is  the  virtuous  Brother 
who  bath  applied  the  sacred  symbol  to  his  soul,  and  erected 
within  his  own  breast  a temple  of  the  Great  Architect  of 
the  world,  more  acceptable  than  that  which  the  wealth 
of  Israel  reared,  a temple  that  will  endure  after  earth’s 
crimes  and  greatness  are  no  more — blessed  through  the 
long  period  of  eternity. 

In  the  earlier  ages  of  the  world,  the  wisdom  given  to 
the  patriarchs,  and  bequeathed  by  them  to  the  human 
family,  was  the  reward  of  their  virtue  and  obedience. 
Humble  as  are  the  talents  which  have  been  brought  to  the 
execution  of  this  our  great  Masonic  task,  we  should  yet 
be  more  unworthy  of  our  office  did  we  fail  to  notice  the 
beautiful  moral  to  which  sacred  and  profane  history  alike 
bear  witness,  that  religion  is  the  foundation  of  knowl- 
edge, though  too  often,  alas ! perverted,  when  attained,  to 
the  gratification  of  passions  degrading,  to  our  nature,  and 
insulting  to  His  majesty  who  framed  us.  Corrupt  as  the 
mysteries  of  Egypt  became  through  the  superstition  of 
her  priesthood,  their  vast  science  was  originally  based  upon 
truth.  The  lives  of  the  great  lawgivers  and  prophets  bear 
honorable  evidence  of  this  important  union.  The  sages 
of  Greece  and  Borne,  although  imperfect,  the  light  which 
even  at  this  remote  period  of  time  still  sheds  a halo  round 
their  systems,  were  remarkable  for  the  austerity  of  their 
lives  and  the  rectitude  of  their  principles ; thus  deducing, 
by  incontrovertible  testimony,  that,  ere  the  human  mind 
can  he  tempted  to  that  subtile  quality  which  refines  the 
phenomena  of  nature  and  science  in  its  mental  alembic, 
conferring  with  each  fresh  discovery,  a benefit  upon  man- 
kind, it  must  be  chastened  by  reflection,  and  strengthened 
by  the  exercise  of  virtue.  Thus,  from  intense  contempla- 
tion of  the  beauties  of  creation,  man  began  to  comprehend 
the  divine  laws  by  which  they  were  regulated.  The  lonely 
shepherds  were  the  first  to  perceive  the  various  changes 
of  the  heavenly  bodies,  and  to  form  a faint  outline  of  their 
system:  the  tiller  of  the  earth,  the  inheritor  alike  of 
Adam’s  curse  and  Adam’s  promise,  in  time  discovered  the 
mineral  treasures  of  her  bosom,  and  applied  them  to  lessen 
the  toil  of  his  occupation  and  advance  the  useful  arts. 
More  gifted  minds,  from  apparent  trifling  causes,  drew 


Among  the  Colored  People  In  North  America.  J5 

abstract  principles,  and  thus  Geometry  had  birth.  But 
how  many  ages  of  patient  discovery  were  necessary  ere 
man,  merged  from  ignorance  to  civilization,  was  enable 
to  erect  a temple  to  his  God,  in  the  construction  of  which 
the  wonders  of  creation  were  typified,  and  the  moral  code 
necessary  for  his  happiness  inculcated — such  being  the  in- 
tention of  the  sacred  edifice. 

Its  situation  from  east  to  west  pointed  out  the  course 
of  the  sun,  the  glorious  center  of  the  universe,  the  benefi- 
cent minister  of  light  and  life;  the  stately  pillars  at  the 
porch,  adorned  with  pomegranates  and  net-work,  the 
fecundity  of  the  earth  and  the  planetary  spheres  which 
surmounted  them,  the  system  of  the  heavens.  The  court 
of  the  Levites  alluded  to  God’s  chosen  people;  that  of  the 
Gentiles,  to  the  many  nations  of  the  earth  to  whom  the 
promise  should  at  last  extend,  and  who  eventually  were 
to  be  summoned  to  minister  in  His  presence,  and  share 
the  inheritance  of  Abraham.  The  carved  work  of  palm 
trees,  of  flowers  and  animals  represented  the  vegetable  and 
animal  kingdoms  mercifully  given  to  man  for  his  suste- 
nance; and  the  ark  of  the  covenant  o’erlaid  with  gold,  the 
purity  of  the  laws  intended  for  his  guidance.  In  the  parti- 
colored veil  of  the  sanctuary,  the  grateful  Israelites  were 
reminded  of  the  mercy  and  the  promises  vouchsafed  to 
ISToah,  and  the  bow  placed  in  the  heavens  in  token  of  its 
inviolability.  Even  man,  the  glorious  masterpiece  of  the 
Creator’s  hands,  was  typically  represented;  the  veins  and 
arteries  of  his  frame,  in  the  many  cloisters  and  passages 
which  gave  unity  to  the  construction  of  the  temple ; the 
heart,  the  seat  of  life,  in  the  sanctum  sanctorum,  im- 
penetrable to  all  things  but  the  light  of  God’s  sacred  pres- 
ence ; the  voice  of  thanksgiving  due  from  the  creature  to 
the  Creator,  in  the  altar,  in  incense  erected  to  his  praise. 
That  such  was  the  designs  of  this  mysterious  pile,  the  evi- 
dence of  Scripture,  the  opinions  of  the  most  learned  of  the 
rabbinical  writers,  and  the  ancient  traditions  of  our  Order, 
alike  confirm  an  interpretation  which  reconciles  us  to  the 
awful  veneration  in  which  it  was  held  not  only  by  the 
Jews,  who  regarded  it  as  the  palladium  of  their  faith,  but 
by  the  surrounding  nations;  by  the  prophets,  who  held 


t6  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

it  as  a thing  sacred  from  its  hidden  signification — a mys- 
tery, and  the  fulfilment  of  a mystery. 

The  uninformed  world  have  ever  been  divided  in  their 
opinions  of  the  rites  and  origin  of  our  Order;  philosophers 
have  beheld  in  it,  an  anomaly  in  the  history  of  the  earth. 
Without  territorial  possessions,  its  moral  domination  is 
almost  universal ; with  no  other  aims  than  those  Of  pru- 
dence and  fortitude,  it  hath  conquered  the  persecutions 
of  the  superstitious,  and  survived  the  mighty  fall  of  Israel, 
the  vast  empires  of  Egypt,  Babylon,  Assyria,  Medea,  Borne, 
and  Greece,  where  alternately  it  was  honored  by  the  pro- 
tection of  kings  and  rulers,  or  exposed  to  the  most  cruel 
hostility.  In  all  the  liberal  states  of  Europe  it  is  publicly 
honored  and  encouraged ; monarc-hs  are  at  its  head ; its 
ranks  are  adorned  by  men,  eminent  for  their  station  and 
worth — by  names  illustrious  in  the  annals  of  science, 
benevolence  and  virtue.  In  Italy,  where  formerly,  to  have 
been  known  as  a member  of  the  Craft,  was  to  have  been 
exposed  to  the  terrors  of  the  stake.  Masonry  exists  with 
scarcely  more  than  the  usual  precautions  of  secrecy : active 
hostility  has  ceased,  the  thunders  of  Borne  are  silent ; 
opinion  is  making  a sure,  though  silent  impression  in  its 
favor ; even  where  so  many  Brothers  have  sealed  their  de- 
votion to  the  pure  principles  of  the  Order  in  their  blood. 

Tyre. 


Tyre  is  celebrated  for  the  pre-eminent  position  it  once 
held  in  arts  and  letters.  It  attained  great  prosperity 
through  its  favorable  location  and  surroundings  and  the 
integrity  and  enterprise  of  its  people. 

Solomon  was  very  friendly  to  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre, 
and  for  this  reason  he  succeeded  in  procuring  aid  from 
Hiram  for  the  building  of  the  temple.  The  King  sent 
to  Solomon  the  finest  timber  wrought  into  suitable  forms 
for  the  great  structure.  He  also  encouraged  the  skilled 
artists  and  artisans  of  Tyre  to  help  in 'the  work.  One  of 
these,  Hiram,  the  son  of  a widow,  did  some  very  efficient 
work  in  designing  the  ornamental  portions  of  the  temple. 
Great  credit  is  due  him  for  the  designs  of  the  two  pillars 
in  the  porch  of  the  temple,  ‘The  molten  sea.  the  symbolic 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  M 

figures,  the  furniture  and  the  holy  vessels,  together  -with 
many  other  ornaments.” 

The  contributions  of  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre,  inculcate 
a lesson  of  mutual  dependence  between  man  and  man;  a 
duty  which  in  its  more  extended  operation  binds  nation  to 
nation,  strengthens  the  bonds  of  civilization,  and  promotes 
the  industrious  and  useful  arts.  The  employment  of  the 
principal  architect,  teaches  us  to  avail  ourselves  of  the 
laudable  skill  of  others — to  court  their  communion  in  all 
good  works,  and,  moreover,  was  a sign  to  the  Gentile  na- 
tions of  the  earth  that  finally  they  should  not  be  excluded 


Home  op  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre. 


from  the  mystical  temple,  of  which  Solomon’s  was  but  the 
type.  The  vast  labor  necessary  for  the  construction  of  so 
stupendous  an  edifice,  points  out  the  necessity  of  forti- 
tude— of  never  being  weary  of  well-doing;  and  the  regu- 
larity with  which  that  toil  was  recompensed  bids  us 
remember  justice  in  all  our  dealings.  The  decorations 
and  beautiful  porchway  represent  the  graceful  arts,  by  the 
proper  exercise  of  which  life  is  adorned,  and  which  are 
pleasing  in  the  sight  of  the  Great  Architect  of  the  world. 
The  windows  are  the  senses  through  which  the  mind  re- 
ceives its  impressions  of  good  and  evil.  The  sanctum 
sanctorum,  favored  by  the  presence  of  the  deity,  was  built 


J8  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

without  them,  and  represents  the  human  heart,  which 
hath  an  internal  presence  in  the  force  of  conscience,  ren- 
dering all  external  evidence  of  its  actions  vain.  The  world 
hath  not  now  to  be  informed  that  the  tools  of  the  laborers, 
such  as  were  necessary  for  the  erection  of  a work  of  archi- 
tecture, have  from  time  immemorial  been  the  badges  of 
Freemasonry.  To  the  uninitiated  their  symbolic  signifi- 
cation is  sealed  forever — inviolable  as  pertaining  to  the 
mysteries  of  the  order ; to  the  Mason,  by  whom  it  is  known, 
we  can  only  say,  lay  it  to  your  soul  and  it  shall  prosper. 

Scarcely  had  the  temple  been  erected,  scarcely  had  the 
awful  presence  of  the  Deity  manifested  His  favor  and  pro- 
tection at  its  dedication,  ere  Israel  began  to  fall  from  that 
state  of  faith  and  obedience  which  could  alone  ensure  their 
continuance.  Even  the  illustrious  Solomon  became  the 
victim  of  the  besetting  sin  of  the  earth  and  worshipped  the 
strange  gods  of  the  heathen.  What  a lesson  does  this 
melancholy  history  of  human  weakness  convey ; what  a 
warning  against  fancied  security  and  overweening  con- 
fidence in  our  own  strength ; what  a picture  of  mental 
degradation  ! That  an  unenlightened  savage,  whose  ear 
hath  never  heard  the  voice  of  truth,  to  whose  eye  the 
divine  law  is  a sealed  mystery,  should  become  an  idolator, 
worshipping  the  device  of  human  craft  and  superstition, 

“And  think,  admitted  to  that  equal  sky. 

His  faithful  dog  shall  bear  him  company,” 

does  not  so  much  surprise  or  revolt  the  mind,  but  that  the 
king  of  so  enlightened  a nation,  a man  so  favored  of  his 
God,  should  fall,  will  make  the  most  steadfast  tremble 
in  their  faith. 

In  reflecting  upon  the  history  of  this  singular  people, 
we  are  at  a loss  which  most  to  wonder  at,  their  repeated 
obstinacy  and  blindness,  or  His  continued  mercy  whose 
covenant  they  had  broken,  whose  purity  they  had  insulted. 
Yain  were  the  missions  of  the  holy  Elijah,  translated  to 
heaven  after  his  long  life  of  usefulness,  and  the  prophets 
who  succeeded  him.  His  mercies  but  hardened  their 
hearts,  and  in  His  wrath  sentence  was  pronounced  against 
them.  Two  hundred  and  eighty-four  years  after  the  erec- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  \9 

tion  of  the  temple  it  was  despoiled  by  the  descendants  of 
Ham,  Jerusalem  given  a prey  to  the  enemy,  and  the 
Israelites  justly  doomed  to  experience  the  horrors  of  cap- 
tivity. Again  did  the  iron  enter  their  souls.  Their 
Babylonian  taskmaster  insulted  them  in  their  misery,  tri- 
umphed in  the  fall  of  their  gorgeous  temple,  profaned  its 
horror  of  that  idolatry  for  which  they  had  neglected  the 
service  of  their  God.  Well  has  it  been  observed  by  one 
whose  knowledge  of  the  human  heart  was  unrivalled  as  his 
skill  in  exciting  its  emotions, 

“Sweet  are  the  uses  of  adversity, 

Which,  like  the  toad,  ugly  and  venomous, 

Bears  yet  a precious  jewel  in  its  head.” 

So  it  was  with  the  Jews:  in  grief  they  remembered  who 
had  been  their  comforter ; in  captivity  who  had  been  their 
spear  and  shield ; in  degradation  and  misery  who  had 
raised  them  in  honor  and  filled  their  store  to  overflowing. 


“Hail,  glorious  triumph  of  the  Masons’  art, 

Temple  of  faith — fit  emblem  of  the  heart, 

Where  else  shall  man  thy  mystic  import  find? 

Or  reconcile  thy  moral  to  his  mind! 

They  secret  lesson  gave  to  quarried  stone, 

A brighter  splendour  than  Judea’s  throne, 

A purer  lustre  than  the  sparkling  gem, 

Set  by  ambition  in  her  diadem. 

Solomon’s  Temple  Completed. — From  sacred  history 
we  learn  that  there  was  not  the  sound  of  ax,  hammer  or  any 
tool  of  iron,  heard  in  the  house  while  it  was  building.  It 
is  said  to  have  been  supported  by  fourteen  hundred  and 
fifty-three  columns,  and  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
six  pilasters,  all  hewn  from  the  finest  Parian  marble. 

If  Freemasonry  has  ceased  to  erect  temples,  if  it  has 
ceased  to  engage  in  material  architecture,  if  it  no  longer 
exhibits  itself  in  the  elevation  of  spires  and  turrets  as 
points  from  which  eyes  may  be  directed  and  hopes  ascend 
towards  a better  and  a happier  world,  it  has  not  less  con- 


20 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


tinned  its  work  of  moral  and  intellectual  culture,  and  its 
success  in  tliis  respect  is  far  more  than  satisfactory.  In 
all  ages  it  has  exercised  a powerful  and  happy  influence 
upon  social  progress.  It  is  the  result  of  that  excellent 
spirit  which  its  earliest  teachings  have  engendered  and  its 
subsequent  culture  has  fostered,  and  which  has  always 
been  exhibited  in  a fraternal  regard  for  each  other  when 
the  brethren  meet  in  their  popular  assemblies,  and  there 
lay  aside  all  distinctions,  save  that  noble  distinction,  or 
rather  emulation  of  who  can  best  work  and  best  agree. 

Masonry  an  Organized  Society. — Masonry,  as  an 
organized  society,  is  governed  by  laws  and  regulations 


Solomon’s  Temple  Completed. 


peculiar  to  itself.  In  many  respects  its  counterpart  can- 
not be  found  in  anv  other  society  or  organization  in  the 
world.  Many  of  them  have  existed  from  the  first  forma- 
tion of  the  order  up  to  the  present  time,  and  must  foi- 
ever  remain  unchanged ; and  it  is  in  this  regard  that  we 
find  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  which  we  speak.  It  was 
evidently  the  purpose  of  the  founders  of  Masonry  to  in- 
corporate in  it  and  throw  around  it  such  restrictions  as 
would  prevent  a subversion  of  the  main  object  they  had  in 
view  by  its  organization.  I nalterable  laws  were  enacted, 
to  the  faithful  observance  of  which  they  bound  themselves 
by  the  most  solemn  covenants.  Since  thbir  time,  all  who 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  21 

have  been  made  Masons  have  taken  upon  themselves  like 
obligations  to  support  and  maintain  these  laws  as  they 
received  them.  Every  Master  Mason  is  strictly  charged 
to  carefully  preserve  the  ancient  landmarks  of  the  order 
entrusted  to  his  care  and  never  suffer  them  to  be  infringed, 
or  countenance  a deviation  from  the  established  usages 
and  customs  of  the  fraternity.  Before  being  installed 
into  office,  every  Worshipful  Master-elect  must  declare  that 
it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  man  or  body  of  men  to  make 
innovations  in  the  body  of  Masonry;  and  thus  the  insti- 
tution has  passed  down  through  succeeding  generations 
without  any  material  changes  from  its  original  plan. 
While  other  institutions  have  sprung  up  and  flourished  for 
a short  season  and  then  passed  away  into  oblivion,  Masonry 
has  pursued  a steady  course,  growing  in  numbers,  in 
strength  and  influence,  until  it  has  spread  over  the  entire 
civilized  portion  of  the  habitable  world,  and  is  to-day  a 
marvel  to  those  who  know  not  the  secret  of  its  talismanic 
power.  Hundreds  and  thousands  of  good  men,  united  in 
one  common  purpose,  as  members  of  the  grand  symbolic . 
Lodge  which  extends  from  east  to  west  and  between  north 
and  south,  attest  the  wisdom  of  the  original  plan  of 
Masonry,  and  of  following  it  to  the  letter  as  has  been  done 
in  the  past. 

To  every  well-informed  Mason  it  is  evident  that  the 
future  prosperity  of  Masonry  depends  very  much  upon  a 
strict  observance  of  the  same  policy  in  the  government  of 
the  Craft.  All  innovation  must  be  met  at  the  threshold 
and  driven  back.  It  must  be  done  or  Masonry  cannot  long 
maintain  that  superiority  over  all  other  orders  which  has 
been  so  often  claimed  for  it,  and  generally  admitted. 

It  would  seem  that  there  could  be  but  one  sentiment 
among  Masons  upon  this  subject,  for  all  have  been  in- 
structed alike  upon  it.  having  taken  the  same  obligations, 
and  what  is  the  duty  of  one  is  the  duty  of  all.  We  find, 
however,  in  these  latter  days,  a disposition  among  a certain 
class  of  the  membership  of  our  lodges  to  introduce  some 
new  features  into  Masonry,  not  in  harmony  with  ancient 
usage  and  the  long-established  principles  of  the  order. 
They  seem  to  think  that  something  ought  to  be  done  to 
make  Masonry  more  popular  in  public  opinion,  and  to  ac- 


22  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

complish  this  end  they  seek  to  ally  it  with  all  the  great 
reform  movements  of  the  clay. 

Masonic  lodges  are  organized  for  an  entirely  different 
purpose.  They  have  their  own  legitimate  business  to 
transact,  and  work  to  perform,  and  all  matters  not  pertain- 
ing strictly  to  the  order  are  prohibited.  In  their  individ- 
ual capacity  as  citizens,  or  as  members  of  anv  other  soc-ietv, 
organization  or  party,  Masons,  outside  of  the  lodge  room, 
are  at  liberty  to  act  as  best  pleases  themselves,  so  that  they 
keep  within  the  bounds  of  the  law  and  the  requirements  of 
good  morals.  But  when  they  come  inside  of  the  lodge 
room  they  must  leave  these  matters  outside  of  the  tiler’s 
door,  for  nothing  can  be  permitted  there  that  will  dis- 
turb the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  Lodge. 

Masons  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  among  their 
number  are  men  from  every  nation  on  the  face  of  the  globe, 
representing  nearly  every  church,  sect  or  social  organiza- 
tion in  existence.  They  should  remember,  too,  that  they 
are  all  citizens  of  but  one  country,  which  is  the  great  globe 
itself ; members  of  only  one  family,  which  is  the  whole 
'human  race;  children  of  only  one  Father,  who  is  God; 
and  it  is  in  this  relation  that  they  must  “Meet  upon  the 
level,  and  part  upon  the  square.”  This  feature  of  Masonry 
is  one  of  its  grandest  characteristics,  and  it  can  only  be 
maintained  by  holding  fast  to  the  landmarks  and  ancient 
regulations  of  the  order,  as  handed  down  to  us  through 
the  generations  of  the  past.  Let  us  continue  to  say:  “Be- 
hold how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity.” 


Among1  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  23 


CHAPTER  III. 

FREEMASONRY  A STUPENDOUS  FACTOR  FOR  GOOD. 

For  more  than  forty-two  centuries  Masonry  was  opera- 
tive in  its  work,  when  there  came  a time  for  its  fuller  and 
wider  development  to  meet  the  growing  needs  of  the  pro- 
gressive people.  The  principles  and  symbols  of  ancient 
Masonry  served  as  the  basis  for  the  modern  structure  of 
Freemasonry.  Whatever  was  crude  or  objectionable  in 
the  older  system  was  eliminated.  The  door  of  the  Lodge 
was  opened  to  proper  men  of  all  professions,  and  Masonry 
became  speculative  in  form  and  spirit. 

This  is  modern  Freemasonry,  and  is  of  universal  appli- 
cation. It  teaches  reverence  for  the  Master  Builder  of  the 
Universe  and  for  His  revealed  will;  loyalty  to  the  govern- 
ment under  whose  protection  it  exists.  It  nourishes  no 
bigotry,  harbors  no  schisms,  asks  no  man  at  the  threshold 
of  the  order  what  is  his  creed,  color  or  politics,  whether  he 
be  prince  or  peasant ; but  rather  if  he  be  a true  man,  moral 
in  action,  loyal  in  purpose,  one  who  seeks  the  good  of 
others,  and  will  ever  be  ready  to  do  his  part  to  honor  the 
order  into  which  he  seeks  to  enter. 

Governed  by  these  principles,  the  order  has  flourished 
and  planted  its  Lodges  in  all  lands  where  civilization  and 
Christianity  rule.  But  its  path  has  not  always  been 
strewn  with  flowers.  It  has  had  to  meet  opposition,  and 
sometimes  persecution,  because  it  had  been  misunderstood 
and  misrepresented  by  its  enemies.  But  to-day  It  is 
honored  and  patronized  by  hosts  of  men  who  occupy  the 
highest  positions  of  church  and  state,  who  have  found  its 
principles  a grand  factor  for  the  benefit  of  mankind. 


24 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

And  yet  our  order  does  not  proselyte.  It  does  not  seek 
to  enlarge  its  numbers  by  urging  men  to  come  into  its 
fold.  All  who  come  must  do  so  of  their  own  accord, 
incited  by  the  influence  which  its  members  sustain  in  the 
community. 

It  has  no  written  creed,  but  the  essence  of  its  principles 
is  embodied  in  the  sublime  idea  of  the  Fatherhood  of  God 
and  the  brotherhood  of  man.  True  to  this  noble  senti- 
ment, its  deeds  of  charity  are  not  blazoned  before  the  world, 
but  find  a grateful  echo  in  the  hearts  of  needy  Brothers, 
with  often  no  other  record  save  that  written  by  angel  pen. 

The  mysteries  of  the  ancient  people  have  faded  from  the 
minds  of  men.  and  Freemasonry,  molded  and  fitted  to  meet 
the  needs  of  modern  thought,  has  come  to  bless  the  world. 
It  has  served  to  unite  diverse  orders  of  men,  to  break  down 
barriers  which  have  long  divided  and  caused  men  to  meet 
on  the  level  where  all  other  measures  have  failed.  May  it 
ever  continue  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  a mighty  factor 
for  good ! 

God  in'  Masonry. — Masonry  has  always  taught  that 
there  is  but  one  God,  who  is  omnific,  omnipotent  and  om- 
niscient; without  beginning  or  ending  of  days,  from  ever- 
lasting unto  everlasting,  eternal  and  immutable. 

It  has  maintained  this  great  truth  with  undying  fidelity 
and  unequalled  courage  through  all  the  dark  ages,  the  vice, 
ignorance  and  superstition  of  the  world. 

We,  of  this  day,  are  unable  to  fully  realize  the  great 
struggle  Masonry  had,  in  order  to  successfully  uphold  and 
transmit  the  great  truth.  The  world  was  flooded  with 
gods  and  goddesses  innumerable,  so  much  so  until  men 
and  whole  nations  had  lost  the  true  God.  Fanaticism, 
intolerance,  ignorance  and  superstition  rolled  back  and 
forth  over  the  world,  mounted  by  imps  of  the  infernal 
regions  under  whose  merciless  sway  millions  succumbed 
and  the  world  was  made  red  with  the  blood  of  the  innocent. 
In  order  to  appease  the  wrath,  or  gain  the  love  of  the 
gods,  made  of  wood,  stone,  iron,  brass,  silver  and  gold,  or 
of  some  uncouth,  unclean  or  slimy  monster  which  could 
neither  love  nor  hate,  the  most  heartrending,  diabolical  and 
fiendish  crimes  were  committed. 

Masonry,  by  the  help  of  that  One  to  whom  she  clung, 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  25 

came  forth  triumphant  with  her  robes  unspotted  by  crime 
or  unstained  by  the  blood  of  the  innocent. 

Xature  has  always  taught  the  true  worship  of  God;  that 
He  is  a spirit,  while  the  human  body  is  the  temple  in  which 
the  real  and  only  man  dwells.  It  is  the  imperative  duty 
of  all  to  shield  and  protect  it  from  intemperance,  corrup- 
tion and  the  vices  of  the  world.  Yet  God  does  not  hang 
the  destinies  of  the  soul  upon  the  outward  appearance  of 
the  body,  but  goes  to  the  center  of  the  soul  and  weighs  each 
motive  from  the  years  of  accountability  until  the  temple 
shall  have  fallen  and  from  these  the  true  history  of  life  is 
written. 

It  was  the  true  spirit  of  worship  which  moved  God  to  ac- 
cept the  offerings  of  Abel,  while  the  spurious  or  untrue 
spirit  caused  the  rejection  of  Cain,  yet  to  all  appearances, 
from  a human  standpoint,  Cain  may  have  made  greater 
preparations  for  his  offering  than  Abel.  • Hence,  two  dis- 
tinct lines  of  worship  are  traceable  in  the  history  of  the 
world.  The  spirit  manifested  by  Abel  has,  at  all  times, 
remained  with  the  good  and  the  true,  and  has  been  and  is, 
the  defender  of  truth,  right,  law  and  order,  civilization, 
progress,  virtue,  knowledge,  wisdom  and  all  that  is  good, 
while  that  manifested  by  Cain  has  been,  and  is,  the  leader 
of  error,  wrong,  vice,  crime,  ignorance,  superstition  and  of 
all  that  is  evil. 

The  former  Masonry  has  always  espoused  with  unsur- 
passed devotedness,  and  the  Mason  knows  that  formalities 
are  foolishness  and  an  abomination  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord:  ‘'"That  whosoever  shall  exalt  himself,  shall  he 

abased.”  Masonry  has  always  taught  the  universal  brother- 
hood of  man.  The  Romans  were  slow  to  accord  protection 
to  any  hut  Romans ; and  Israel,  the  blessed  of  the  Lord,  be- 
lieved that  the  life  of  one  Israelite  was  worth  more  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord  than  a whole  nation  of  Gentiles. 

The  great  truth,  “no  man  liveth  unto  himself,”  seems 
to  have  been  misinterpreted  or  was  entirely  unknown  to 
them.  Segregated,  haughty  and  intolerant,  the  nations  of 
the  world  held  each  other  at  arm's  length,  as  if  they  had 
been  made  by  a distinct  Creator,  and  the  world  had  been 
made  for  them  alone.  We  find  a great  many  of  these  peo- 
ple to-day.  Masonry  recognizes  but  one  Creator  and  one 


26  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Master  of  all  men,  to  whom  every  man  owes  his  individual 
allegiance,  and  each  one  may,  if  he  chooses,  partake  of  His 
infinite  knowledge,  wisdom,  goodness,  mercy  and  love. 

Masonry  has  ever  taught  harmony  with  God.  To  this 
end  she  enjoins  upon  her  devotees  the  study  of  the  seven 
arts  and  sciences:  grammar,  rhetoric,  logic,  arithmetic* 
geometry,  music  and  astronomy.  Last,  but  not  least,  the 
Holy  Bible,  which  is  the  rule  and  guide  of  our  faith  and 
practice.  A careful  study  of  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences 
will  throw  a halo  of  divine  light  upon  every  page  of  the 
Holy  Bible,  which  will,  as  we  study  it,  help  us  to  clear  life 
of  all  its  vices  and  superfluities  and  light  up  our  pathway 
from  earth  to  heaven. 

The  more  wisdom  wre  obtain  the  closer  are  our  relations 
to  God  and  the  more  are  we  assimilated  to  Him,  until  we 
find  wfithin  us  a world  of  harmony,  more  life-giving  than 
the  spring  and  the  summer  rains  or  the  dews  of  Hermon. 

Masonry  has  ever  taught  silence  and  secrecy,  because 
they  are  among  the  grandest  virtues.  “Keep  thy  tongue 
from  evil  and  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile.”  The  cultiva- 
tion of  these  virtues  tends  to  bridle  the  foul  tongue  of 
slander  and  suppress  evil  reports;  thus  it  is  the  promoter 
of  peace  and  good  will  among  men. 

The  earth,  the  sun,  moon,  stars,  planets  and  the  whole 
universe  were  created  in  silence.  They  made  their  stu- 
pendous revolutions  in  silence.  God  rules  the  universe 
in  silence,  and  in  silence  He  showers  His  manifold  bless- 
ings upon  men  and  nations.  Seertcy  produces  a family 
feeling  among  Masons,  and  creates  a unity,  harmony  and 
strength  which  could  not  be  obtained  in  any  other  way. 

Masonry,  with  peace  and  love  in  one  hand,  wisdom, 
strength  and  beauty  in  the  other,  through  the  power  of  its 
secret  ministry  hath  diffused  order,  beauty,  virtue  and 
civilization  over  all  lands. 

The  Mason  has  always  been  taught  to  have  faith  in  God. 
Faith  is  the  foundation  of  justice,  the  bond  of  amity  and 
the  chief  support  of  society. 

God  has  so  created  the  human  family  that  they  are  com- 
pelled to  exercise  faith.  The  child  has  faith  in  its  parents, 
that  they  will  protect  him  from  harm  and  alleviate  his 

wants. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  27 

The  husband  has  faith  in  the  wife  and  the  wife  in  the 
husband ; both  have  faith  in  their  children.  Men  respect 
government  because  of  their  faith  in  its  power  and  ability 
to  protect  them.  The  commerce  of  the  world  is  founded 
on  faith,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest  transaction. 

We  all  have  faith  in  God  that  He  will  preserve  our  lives, 
send  His  sunshine,  rain,  and  the  seasons  in  due  time. 
With  these  great  truths  Masons  should  bind  themselves 
to  God  with  such  a strong  chain  of  faith  that  neither 
friend  or  foe,  life  or  death,  or  the  combined  powers  of  the 
infernal  regions  could  move  or  shake  it. 

Masonry  has  always  taught  charity,  which  is  one  of  its 
first  as  well  as  one  of  its  greatest  lessons.  It  kills  envy  and 
listeneth  not  to  the  tale  reported  by  slander.  Eevenge  and 
malice  have  no  place  in  its  sacred  domains;  iWforgives  the 
injuries  of  men  and  strives  to  blot  them  out.  It  lives, 
moves  and  acts  far  above  sectarianism.  It  is  arrayed  in 
celestial  armor  wrought  in  the  unerring  forges  of  heaven, 
with  a shield  of  faith,  a helmet  of  salvation,  a sword  of  the 
spirit,  a breastplate  of  righteousness,  the  loins  girt  about 
with  truth  and  the  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the 
gospel  of  peace.  Thus  clad,  charity  mounts  its  heaven-born 
steed,  ancl  with  the  speed  of  an  eagle  it  flies  to  the  relief  of 
the  distressed,  the  widows  and  the  orphans,  leaving  sun- 
shine and  untold  joy  in  its  wake. 

“Who  carve  the  stone,  or  bear  the  hod. 

Who  bear  upon  their  honest  brows 
The  royal  stamp  and  seal  of  God.” 


IMMORTALITY. 

The  Mason  is  taught  to  believe  in  the  immortality  of 
the  soul  and  the  resurrection  of  the  body — in  fact,  this  is 
the  end  of  Masonry  and  the  hope  of  the  world. 

Measured,  polished,  tried,  squared  and  proven  by  all  the 
great  truths  of  Masonry,  we  reverently,  calmly  and  trust- 
ingly await  the  good  will  and  pleasure  of  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  Universe  to  do  with  us  as  it  may  please  Him. 

It  is  said  that  the  pyramids  of  Egypt  employed  one 
hundred  thousand  men  for  many  years,  but  it  was  only  to 


28 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

build  monumental  piles  beneath  wliose  shadows  kings 
might  rest.  The  pyramids  are  only  temples  for .ihe.  dead  ; 
Masons  are  building  one  for  the  living.  The  pyramids 
were  only  mausoleums  in  which  the  bones  of  the  mighty 
dead  might  repose  in  imperial  magnificence;  Masons  are 
erecting  a structure  in  which  the  God  of  Israel  shall  dwell 
forever. 

Among  the  workmen  are  found  men  of  all  nationalities 
working  without  prejudice  to  his  fellow-man;  all  working 
for  that  moral  structure,  grander  than  any  yet  raised  by 
human  hands. 

“The  pyramids  shall  crumble  away  until  not  one  stone 
be  left  upon  another,”  but  who  shall  count  the  years  of 
immortality,  the  lifetime  of  a soul  which  is  fitted  for  its 
place  in  the  heavens?  Who  can  define  its  outlines,  or 
fathom  its  depths,  or  measure  its  journey? 

It  is  a stream  which  grows  broader  and  deeper  as  it 
flows  onward ; an  angel’s  eye  cannot  measure  its  length  nor 
an  angel’s  wing  travel  its  farthest  boundaries. 

When  earth’s  proudest  monumental  piles  have  crumbled 
away,  its  sands  scattered  to  the  desert  winds,  and  the  glory 
of  earth  shall  be  forgotten,  then  will  the  immortal  soul  be 
soaring  to  loftier  heights. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  29 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ANCIENT  LANDMARKS. 

In  ancient  times  it  was  the  custom  to  mark  the  bound- 
aries of  lands  or  the  pathway  for  the  traveler  by  means  of 
stones  and  pillars,  and  the  removal  of  such  by  any  person 
was  considered  a high  crime.  These  pillars  distinguished 
the  limits  of  their  property.  “Thou  shalt  not/'  says  the 
Jewish  law,  “remove  thy  neighbor's  landmark,  which  they 
of  old  time  have  set  in  thine  inheritance.”  Hence  those 
peculiar  marks  of  distinction  by  which  we  are  separated 
from  the  profane  world,  and  by  which  we  are  enabled  to 
designate  our  inheritance  as  the  “Sons  of  Light,”  are 
called  the  landmarks  of  "the  order.  The  universal  lan- 
guage and  the  universal  laws  of  Masonry  are  landmarks, 
but  not  so  are  the  local  ceremonies,  laws  and  usages  which 
vary  in  different  countries.  To  attempt  to  alter  or  remove 
these  sacred  landmarks,  by  which  we  examine  and  prove  a 
brother’s  claim  to  share  in  our  privileges  is  one  of  the  most 
heinous  offences  that  a Mason  can  commit.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind,  therefore,  that  the  landmarks  are  of  a 
higher  antiquity  than  memory  or  history  can  reach.  The 
landmarks  of  Masonry,  like  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  the 
Persians,  can  suffer  no  change.  What  they  were  centuries 
ago  they  still  remain  and  must  so  continue  in  force  until 
Masonry  itself  shall  cease  to  exist. 

“The  Landmarks  are  twenty-five  in  number,”  says 
Mackey,  “and  are  as  follows : 

“(1)  The  modes  of  recognition  are,  of  all  the  land- 
marks, the  most  legitimate  and  unquestioned.  They  ad- 
mit of  no  variation  whatever.  It  is  not  in  the  power  of 
Grand  Masters,  Grand  Lodges,  or  any  man  to  change  them. 

“(2)  The  division  of  symbolic  Masonry  into  three  de- 


30  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

grees  is  a landmark  which,  has  been  so  acknowledged  the 
world  over. 

“(3)  The  legend  of  the  third  degree  is  an  important 
landmark. 

“(4)  The  government  of  the  Fraternity  by  a presiding 
officer,  called  a Grand  Master,  who  must  be  elected  from 
the  body  of  the  Craft,  is  the  fourth  landmark  of  the  order. 
Many  persons  suppose  that  the  election  of  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter is  held  in  consequence  of  a law  or  regulation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  Such,  however,  is  not  the  case.  The  office 
is  indebted  for  its  existence  to  a landmark  of  the  order. 
Grand  Masters,  or  persons  performing  the  functions  under 
a different  but  equivalent  title,  are  to  be  found  in  the  rec- 
ords of  the  institution  long  before  Grand  Lodges  were 
established.  If  the  present  system  of  legislative  govern- 
ment by  Grand  Lodges  was  to  be  abolished,  a Grand  Mas- 
ter would  still  he  necessary. 

“(5)  The  prerogative  of  the  Grand  Master  to  preside 
over  every  assembly  of  the  craft,  whensoever  or  wheresoever 
held,  is  a fifth  landmark.  It  is  in  consequence  of  this  law, 
derived  from  ancient  usages,  and  not  from  any  special  en- 
actment, that  the  Grand  Master  assumes  the  chair,  or  as  it 
is  called  in  England,  the  Throne,’  at  every  communication 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  he  is  also  entitled  to  preside 
at  the  communication  of  every  subordinate  Lodge  where 
he  may  happen  to  he  present. 

“(6)  The  prerogative  of  the  Grand  Master  to  grant  dis- 
pensations for  conferring  degrees  at  irregular  times,  is 
another  and  very  important  landmark.  The  statutory 
law'  of  Masonry  requires  a month  or  other  determinate 
period  to  elapse  between  the  presentation  of  a petition  and 
the  election  of  a candidate;  but  the  Grand  Master  has  the 
power  to  set  aside  or  dispense  with  this  probation  and  to 
allow  a candidate  to  be  initiated  at  once.  This  preroga- 
tive he  possessed  before  the  enactment  of  the  law  requiring 
a probation,  and  as  no  statute  can  impair  his  prerogative, 
he  still  retains  the  power. 

“(7)  The  Grand  Master  may  grant  dispensations  for 
opening  and  holding  lodges  is  another  landmark.  The 
lodges  thus  established  are  called  ‘Lodges  under  dispen- 
sation.’ 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  31 

“(8)  Grand  Master  to  make  Masons  at  sight  is  a land- 
mark which  is  closely  connected  with  the  preceding  one. 

“(9)  The  necessity  for  Masons  to  congregate  in  Lodges 
is  another  landmark.  The  congregating  together  for  the 
purpose  of  either  operative  or  speculative  labor,  and  that 
these  congregations  shall  be  called  Lodges.  Formerly 
there  were  extemporary  meetings  called  together  for  spe- 
cial purposes  and  then  dissolved,  the  brethren  departing 
to  meet  again  at  other  times  and  other  places,  according 
to  the  necessity  of  circumstances.  But  warrants  of  consti- 
tution, by-laws,  permanent  officers,  and  annual  arrears, 
are  modern  innovations  wholly  outside  the  landmarks 
and  dependent  entirely  on  the  special  enactments  of  a com- 
paratively recent  period. 

“(10)  The  government  of  the  Craft,  when  so  congre- 
gated in  a Lodge,  by  a Master  and  two  Wardens  is  also  a 
landmark.  The  presence  of  a Master  and  two  Wardens  is 
as  essential  to  the  valid  organization  of  a Lodge  as  a war- 
rant of  constitution  is  at  the  present  day.  The  names,  of 
course,  vary  in  different  languages,  but  the  officers,  their 
number,  prerogatives  and  duties  are  identical  the  world 
over. 

“(11)  The  necessity  that  every  Lodge,  when  congre- 
gated, should  be  duly  tiled  is  an  important  landmark  of 
the  institution  which  is  never  neglected.  The  necessity  of 
this  law  arises  from  the  esoteric  character  of  Masonry. 
The  duty  of  guarding  the  door  and  keeping  off  cowans  and 
eavesdroppers,  is  an  ancient  one  which,  therefore,  consti- 
tutes a landmark. 

“(12)  The  right  of  every  Mason  to  be  represented  in  all 
general  meetings  of  the  Craft  and  to  instruct  his  represen- 
tatives is  the  twelfth  landmark.  Formerly  these  general 
meetings,  which  were  held  once  a year,  were  called  ‘General 
Assemblies/  and  all  the  Fraternity,  even  to  the  youngest 
Entered  Apprentice,  were  permitted  to  be  present.  Now 
they  are  called  Grand  Lodges,  and  only  the  Masters,  Past 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  subordinate  Lodges  are  sum- 
moned, but  this  is  simply  as  the  representatives  of  their 
members.  Originally  each  Mason  represented  himself ; 
now  he  is  represented  by  his  officers. 

“(13)  The  right  of  every  Mason  to  appeal  from  the 


32  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

decision  of  his  brethren,  in  Lodge  convened,  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  or  General  Assembly  of  Masons,  is  a landmark 
highly  essential  to  the  preservation  of  justice  and  the  pre- 
vention of  oppression. 

“(14)  The  right  of  every  Mason  to  visit  and  sit  in  every 
regular  Lodge  is  an  unquestionable  landmark.  This  is 
called  the  right  of  visitation.  This  right  of  visitation  has 
always  been  recognized  as  an  inherent  right  which  inures 
to  every  Mason  as  he  travels  through  the  world.  This  is 
why  Lodges  are  justly  considered  as  only  divisions,  for  con- 
venience, of  the  universal  Masonic  family. 

“(15)  It  is  a landmark  of  the  order  that  no  visitor 
unknown  to  the  brethren  present,  or  to  some  of  them,  as 
a Mason,  can  enter  a Lodge  without  first  passing  an  exam- 
ination according  to  ancient  usages,  “After  strict  trial,  due 
examination  or  lawful  Masonic  information.’ 

“(16)  No  Lodge  can  interfere  with  the  business  of  an- 
other Lodge,  nor  give  degrees  to  brethren  who  are  members 
of  other  Lodges,  except  upon  the  request  of  the  Master  of 
the  Lodge  to  which  said  member  belongs.  This  is  un- 
doubtedly an  ancient  landmark,  founded  on  the  great  prin- 
ciples of  courtesy  and  fraternal  kindness  which  are  at  the 
very  foundation  of  our  institution. 

“(17)  It  is  a landmark  that  every  Freemason  is  amen- 
able to  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  Masonic  jurisdic- 
tion in  which  he  resides,  although  he  may  not  be  a member 
of  any  Lodge.  Non-affiliation  does  not  exempt  a Mason 
from  Masonic  jurisdiction. 

“(18)  Certain  qualifications  of  candidates  for  initiation 
are  derived  from  a landmark  of  the  order.  These  quali- 
fications are  that  he  shall  be  a man  unmutilated,  free  and 
of  mature  age,  and  under  the  tongue  of  good  report. 

“(19)  A belief  in  the  existence  of  God  as  the  Grand 
Architect  of  the  universe  is  one  of  the  most  important  land- 
marks of  the  order. 

“(20)  The  belief  in  a resurrection  to  a future  life  is  a 
landmark  and  runs  through  the  whole  symbolism  of  the 
order.  To  believe  in  Masonry  and  not  to  believe  in  the 
resurrection  would  be  an  absurd  anomaly. 

“(21)  It  is  a landmark  that  the  Book  of  the  Law  shall 
constitute  an  indispensable  part  of  the  furniture  of  every 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  33 

Lodge,  which  contains  the  revealed  will  of  the  Grand  Arch- 
itect of  the  universe.  Hence,  in  all  Lodges  in  Christian 
countries  the  Book  of  the  Law  is  composed  of  the  Old  and 
the  Hew  Testament. 

“(22)  The  equality  of  all  Masons  is  another  landmark 
of  the  order.  This  equality  has  no  reference  to  any  sub- 
version of  those  gradations  of  rank  which  have  been  insti- 
tuted by  the  usages  of  society.  The  monarch,  the  noble- 
man, or  the  gentleman  is  on  one  common  level — that  on 
that  level  we  are  all  traveling  to  one  predestined  goal — that 
in  the  Lodge  genuine  merit  shall  receive  more  respect 
than  position  or  great  wealth ; and  that  virtue  and  knowl- 
edge alone  shall  be  the  basis  of  all  Masonic  honors. 

“(23)  The  secrecy  of  the  institution  is  another  and 
most  important  landmark.*  The  form  of  secrecy  is  a 
form  inherent  in  it,  existing  with  it  from  its  very  founda- 
tion, and  secured  to  it  by  its  ancient  landmarks.  If  di- 
vested of  its  secret  character,  it  would  lose  its  identity 
and  would  c-ease  to  be  Freemasonry.  This  landmark  has 
remained  unchanged  for  centuries.  ■ 

“(24)  The  foundation  of  a speculative  science  upon  an 
operative  art  and  the  symbolic  use  and  the  explanations 
of  the  terms  of  that  art  for  the  purpose  of  religious  or 
moral  teaching,  constitute  another  landmark  of  the  order. 
The  Temple  of  Solomon  was  the  symbolic  cradle  of  the  in- 
stitution. 

“(25)  The  last  and  crowning  landmark  of  all,  is  that 
these  landmarks  can  never  be  changed.  Hothing  can  be 
subtracted  from  them — nothing  can  be  added  to  them — not 
the  slightest  modification  can  be  made  in  them.  As  they 
were  received  from  our  predecessors,  we  are  bound  by  the 
most  solemn  obligations  of  duty  to  transmit  them  to  our 
successors.  Hence,  fellow-workmen,  let  us  continue  to 
hold  fast  to  the  ancient  landmarks  of  our  order  and  trans- 
mit them  to  the  coming  generation,  without  the  loss  of  one 
point.  Push  forward  the  good  work  of  merc-y  and  blessing 
to  the  sick  and  suffering.  Shelter  the  feeble  and  the 


*Landmarks  of  Masonry : Geo.  Oliver's  Masonic  Jurispru- 

dence, 1859. 

Mackey’s  Jurisprudence. 


34 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


friendless,  care  for  the  orphans  and  carry  to  the  weary 
God’s  golden  messengers  of  grace  and  love.” 

Let  us  continue  in  our  lodge  room  to  study  its  working 
tools,  its  pillars,  its  mosaic  pavement,  its  altars  and  ark. 
its  robes  and  jewels  and  build  with  faith  the  temple  of  the 
soul. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  35 


CHAPTER  Y. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  ENGLAND. 

In  1649  the  following  resolution  was  passed: 

“Resolved,  That  the  privilege  of  Masonry  shall  no  longer 
be  confined  to  operative  Masons,  hut  be  free  to  men  of  all 
professions,  provided  that  they  are  regularly  approved  and 
initiated  into  the  fraternity  by  the  Master  of  St.  Paul’s 
Lodge,  York,  England.” 

At  this  meeting  R.  W.  Bro.  Anthony  Sayre  was  elected 
M.  W.  Grand  Master.  This  important  decision  changed 
entirely  the  face  of  the  society  and  transformed  it  into 
what  we  find  it  to-day. 

In  the  assembly,  after  electing  the  Master  of  St.  Paul’s 
Lodge,  Anthony  Sayre,  to  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  there 
were  gathered  up  the  constitution  and  charges  of  Free- 
masons, which  subsequently,  by  a History  of  Freemasonry, 
prepared  by  R.  W.  Bro.  Anderson,  was  accepted,  sanc- 
tioned and  printed  in  1723,  under  the  title  of  the  “Consti- 
tution and  Charges  of  the  Ancient  and  Respectable  Fra- 
ternity of  Freemasons.”  And  it  is  the  date  of  this  publi- 
cation that  may  be  properly  considered  the  commencement 
of  exclusively  speculative  or  modern  Freemasonry. 

The  principle  of  civilization  dwelling  in  the  doctrines 
and  pursuits  of  Masonry,  after  having  burst  the  bonds 
which  kept  it  grasped  in  the  stiff  embrace  of  a mechanical 
association,  immediately  penetrated  the  heart  of  the  social 
system,  and  animated  it  with  a new  life.  In  the  space  of 
twenty-seven  years  it  spread  itself  in  a manner  but  little 


36  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

less  than  miraculous,  into  nearly  every  portion  of  the  civ- 
ilized world. 

Wiiat  Constitutes  a Grand  Lodge. — The  General 
Regulations  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  compiled  by 
James  Anderson,  approved  and  ordered  to  be  published  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  25th  of  March,  1722,  together 
with  amendments,  as  approved  by  said  Grand  Lodge,  June 
27th,  1754,  recites  as  follows: 

Art.  1.  The  Grand  Lodge  consisted  of  and  was  formed 
by  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  the  particular  Lodges 
upon  record  with  the  Grand  Master  at  their  head,  the  Dep- 
uty on  his  left  hand,  and  the  S.  G.  W.  in  the  West  and  the 
J.  G.  W.  in  the  South. 

There  being  no  absolute  law  regulating  the  manner  of 
constituting  a Grand  Lodge,  and  yet  there  being  an  abso- 
lute necessity  for  it,  we  are  forced  to  rely  upon  the  oldest 
usages  as  the  highest  authority.  The  oldest  authority  is 
the  organization  of  the  present  Grand  Lodge  of  England 
in  1717,  which  was  effected  as  follows: 

The  four  oldest  Lodges  in  London,  together  with  some 
old  Masons,  met  at  Apple  Tree  Tavern,' in  February,  1717, 
and  having  voted  the  oldest  Master  Mason  then  present  in 
the  chair,  constituted  themselves  a Grand  Lodge  pro  tern., 
and  thereupon  passed  resolutions,  one  of  which  provided 
for  the  annual  assembly  and  feast,  at  which  time  they 
were  to  elect  a Grand  Master. 

1717-1722.— The  old  charges  of  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons.  Published  in  England  in  the  year  1738  by 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Collected  from  the  Book 
of  Constitution  for  the  use  of  Lodges  by  our  worthy  brother 
James  Anderson.  D.  D. 

First  Charge. — Concerning  God  and  Beligion. — A 
Mason  is  obliged  by  his  tenure  to  observe  the  moral  laws 
as  a true  Noachida,  and  if  he  rightly  understands  the 
Craft,  he  will  never  be  a stupid  atheist,  nor  an  irreligious 
libertine,  nor  act  against  conscience.  In  ancient  times 
the  Christian  Masons  were  charged  to  comply  with  the 
Christian  usages  of  each  country  where  they  traveled  or 
worked ; but  Masonry  being  found  among  all  nations,  even 
of  divers  religions,  they  are  now,  as  then,  generally 
charged  to  adhere  to  that  religion  in  which  all  men  agree. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  37 

(leaving  each  brother  to  his  own  particular  opinion),  that 
is,  to  be  good  men  and  true  men  of  honor  and  honesty,  by 
whatever  name,  religion  or  persuasion  they  may  be  distin- 
guished, for  they  all  agree  in  the  three  Articles  of  Noah, 
enough  to  preserve  the  cement  of  the  Lodge.  . Thus  Ma- 
sonry is  the  center  of  their  union,  and  the  happy  means  of 
conciliating  persons  that  otherwise  must  have  remained 
at  a perpetual  distance. 

Second  Charge. — A Mason  must  be  a peaceable  subject, 
never  to  be  concerned  in  plots  against  the  State,  nor  disre- 
spectful to  inferior  magistrates.  Old  kings,  princes  and 
states  flourished  most  in  time  of  peace.  But  though  a 
brother  is  not  to  be  countenanced  in  his  rebellion  against 
the  State,  yet  if  convicted  of  no  other  crime,  his  relation  to 
the  Lodge  remains  indefeasible. 

Third  Charge,  Concerning  Lodges. — A Lodge  is  a 
place  where  Masons  meet  to'  work ; hence  the  assembly  or 
organized  body  of  Masons  is  called  a Lodge,  just  as  the 
word  church  is  expressive  both  of  the  congregation  and  of 
the  place  of  worship.  Every  brother  should  belong  to  some 
particular  Lodge,  and  cannot  be  absent  without  incurring 
censure,  if  not  necessarily  detained.  The  men  made 
Masons  must  be  free  born  (or  no  bondmen)  , of  mature  age, 
and  of  good  report,  hail  and  sound,  not  deformed  or  dis- 
membered at  the  time  of  their  making,  but  no  woman,  no 
eunuch.  When  men  of  quality,  eminence,  wealth  and 
learning  apply  to  be  made,  they  are  to  be  respected,  fully 
accepted,  after  due  examination,  for  such  often  prove  good 
lords  (or  founders)  of  work,  and  will  not  employ  cowans 
when  true  Masons  can  be  had.  They  also  make  the  best 
officers  of  Lodges,  and  the  best  designers  to  the  honor  and 
strength  of  the  Lodge.  Nay,  from  among  them  the  Fra- 
ternity can  have  a noble  Grand  Master,  but  those  brethren 
are  equally  subject  to  the  charges  and  regulations,  except 
in  what  more  immediately  concerns  operative  Masons. 

Fourth  Charge,  of  Masters,  Wardens,  Fellows  and 
Apprentices.  — All  preferments  among  Masons  are 
grounded  upon  real  worth  and  personal  merit  only,  not 
upon  seniority.  No  Master  should  take  an  apprentice  that 
is  not  the  son  of  an  honest  parent,  a perfect  youth  without 
maim  or  defects  in  his  body,  and  capable  of  learning  the 


38 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

mysteries  of  the  art;  that  so  the  lords  (or  founders')  may 
be  well  served  and  the  Craft  not  despised,  and  that  when 
of  age  and  an  expert,  he  may  become  an  Entered  Appren- 
tice, or  a Freemason  of  the  lowest  degree,  and  upon  his 
improvement  a Fellow  Craft  and  a Master  Mason, 
capable  to 'undertake  a Lord’s  work.  The  Wardens  are 
chosen  from  among  the  Master  Masons,  and  no  brother  can 
be  a Master  of  a Lodge  until  he  has  acted  as  Warden  some- 
where,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  or  when  a Lodge  is  to 
be  formed  and  none  such  to  be  had,  for  then  three  Masons, 
though  never  Masters  nor  Wardens  of  Lodges  before,  may 
be  constituted  Masters  and  Wardens  of  that  new  Lodge. 
But  no  number,  without  three  Master  Masons  can  form  a 
Lodge,  and  none  can  be  the  Grand  Master  or  a Grand  War- 
den who  has  not  acted  as  the  Master  of  a particular  Lodge. 

Fifth  Charge.  Management  of  the  Craft  in 
Working. — All  Masons  should  work  hard  and  honestly  on 
working  days,  that  they  may  live  reputably  on  holidays. 
The  working  hours  appointed  by  law  or  confirmed  by  cus- 
tom shall  be  observed.  A Master  Mason  only  must  be  the 
surveyor  or  master  of  work,  who  shall  undertake  the  Lord’s 
work  reasonably ; shall  truly  dispense  his  goods  as  if  they 
were  his  own,  and  shall  not  give  more  wages  than  just  to 
any  fellow  or  apprentice.  The  Wardens  shall  be  true 
both  to  Master  and  Fellows,  taking  care  of  all  things  both 
within  and  without  the  Lodge,  especially  in  the  Master’s 
absence,  and  their  brethren  shall  obey  them.  The  Master 
and  the  Masons  shall  fully  finish  the  Lord's  work,  whether 
talk  or  journey,  nor  shall  take  the  work  at  talk  which  has 
been  accustomed  to  journey.  None  shall  show  envy  at  a 
brother’s  prosperity,  nor  supplant  him  or  put  him  out  of 
his  work,  if  capable  to  finish  it. 

All  Masons  shall  meekly  receive  their  wages  without 
murmuring  or  mutiny,  and  not  desert  the  Master  till  the 
Lord’s  work  is  finished.  They  must  avoid  ill  language, 
calling  each  other  Brother  or  Fellow  with  much  courtesy, 
both  in  and  out  of  the  Lodge.  They  shall  instruct  a 
younger  brother  to  become  bright  and  expert,  that  the 
Lord's  materials  may  not  be  spoiled.  But  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons  shall  not  allow  cowans  to  work  with  them, 
nor  shall  they  be  employed  by  cowans  without  an  urgent 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  39 

necessity,  and  even  in  that  case  they  must  not  teach  cowans, 
but  must  have  a separate  communication.  ISTo  laborer 
shall  be  employed  in  the  proper  work  of  Freemasons. 

Sixth  Charge.  Behavior  in  Lodge  Before  Closixg. 
— You  must  not  hold  private  committees  or  separate  con- 
versation without  leave  from  the  Master,  nor  talk  of  any- 
thing impertinent,  nor  interrupt  the  Master  or  Wardens 
or  any  Brother  speaking  to  the  dais,  nor  act  ludicrously 
while  the  Lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is  serious  and  solemn, 
but  you  ax  2 to  pay  due  reverence  to  the  Master,  Wardens 
and  Fellowrs  and  put  them  to  worship.  Every  Brother 
found  guilty  of  a fault  shall  stand  to  the  award  of  the 
Lodge  unless  he  appeals  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  unless  a 
Lord's  work  is  retarded,  for  then  a particular  reference 
may  be  made.  ISTo  private  piques,  no  quarrels  about  na- 
tions, religions,  or  polities  must  be  brought  within  the 
doors  of  the  Lodge.  As  Masons,  we  are  of  the  oldest.  Cath- 
olic religion  above  hinted,  and  of  all  nations  upon  the 
square,  level  and  plumb,  and  like  our  predecessors  in  all 
ages,  we  are  resolved  against  political  disputes,  as  contrary 
to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  order. 

1.  Behavior  After  the  Lodge  Is  Closed  and  the 
Brethren  Yet  About  the  Temple. — You  may  enjoy 
yourselves  with  innocent  mirth,  treating  one  another  ac- 
cording to  ability,  but  avoiding  all  excess,  not  forcing  any 
brother  to  eat  or  drink  beyond  his  own  inclination  (accord- 
ing to  the  old  regulation  of  King  Ahasuerus),  nor  hinder- 
ing him  from  going  home  when  he  pleases,  for  though 
after  Lodge  hours  you  are  like  other  men,  yet  the  blame  of 
your  excess  may  be  thrown  upon  the  Fraternity,  though 
unjustly. 

2.  Behavior  at  Meetings  Without  Strangers,  but 
Hot  in  a Formed  Lodge. — You  are  to  salute  one  another 
as  you  have  been  or  shall  be  instructed,  -freely  communi- 
cating hints  of  knowledge,  but  without  disclosing  se- 
crets, unless  to  those  that  have  given  long  proof  of  their 
taciturnity  and  honor,  and  without  derogating  from  the 
respect  due  to  any  Brother  were  he  not  a Mason.  For 
though  all  Brothers  and  Fellows  are  upon  the  level,  yet 
Masonry  divests  no  man  of  the  honor  that  was  due  to  him 
before  he  was  made  a Mason,  nor  that  shall  become  his  due 


40  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

afterwards,  nay,  rather,  it  adds  to  his  respect,  teaching  us 
to  give  honor  to  whom  it  is  due,  especially  to  a noble  or 
eminent  Brother,  whom  we  should  distinguish  from  all  of 
his  rank  and  station,  and  serve  him  readily  according  to 
our  ability. 

3.  Behavior  in  the  Presence  of  Strangers  Xot 
Masons. — You  must  be  cautious  in  your  words,  carriage 
and  motions,  so  that  the  most  penetrating  stranger  may  not 
be  able  to  discover  what  is  not  proper  to  be  intimated,  and 
the  most  impertinent  or  ensnaring  questions  or  ignorant 
discourse  of  strangers  must  be  prudently  managed  by 
Freemasons. 

4.  Behavior  at  Home  and  in  Your  Xeighborhood. 
— Masons  ought  to  be  moral  men  as  above  charged,  conse- 
quently good  husbands,  good  parents,  good  sons,  and  good 
neighbors,  not  staying  too  long  from  home  and  avoiding  all 
excess.- 

5.  Behavior  Towards  a Foreign  Brother  or  a 
Stranger. — You  are  cautiously  to  examine  him  as  pru- 
dence shall  direct,  that  you  may  not  be  imposed  upon  by  a 
pretender,  whom  you  are  to  reject  with  derision,  and  be- 
ware of  giving  him  any  hints,  but  if  you  discover  him  to  be 
true  and  faithful,  you  are  to  respect  him  as  a Brother,  and 
if  in  want  you  are  to  relieve  him  if  you  can  or  else  direct 
him  how  he  may  be  relieved.  You  must  employ  him  if  you 
can,  or  else  recommend  him  to  be  employed,  but  you  are  not 
charged  to  do  beyond  your  ability. 

6.  Behavior  Behind  a Brother's  Back  As  Well 
As  Before  His  Face. — Free  and  Accepted  Masons  have 
been  ever  charged  to  avoid  all  slandering  and  backbiting  of 
a true  and  faithful  Brother,  or  talking  disrespectfully  of 
his  person  or  performances,  and  all  malice  or  unjust  re- 
sentment, and  you  must  not  suffer  any  others  to  reproach 
an  honest  Brother,  but  defend  his  character  as  far  as  is 
consistent  with  honor,  safety  and  prudence,  though  no 
farther. 

7.  Charge  Concerning  Lawsuits. — If  a Brother  do 
you  injury,  apply  first  to  your  own  or  his  Lodge,  and  if  you 
are  not  satisfied,  you  may  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  but 
you  must  never  take  a legal  course  till  the  cause  cannot  be 
otherwise  decided.  If  the  affair  is  only  between  Masons 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  41 

and  about  Masonry,  lawsuits  should  be  prevented  by  the 
good  advice  of  Prudent  Brethren,  who  are  the  best  referees 
of  such  differences,  but  if  that  reference  is  either  imprac- 
ticable or  unsuccessful,  and  the  affair  must  be  brought  into 
the  courts  of  law  or  equity,  you  must  avoid  all  wrath, 
malice  and  rancor  in  carrying  on  the  suit,  not  saying  or 
doing  anything  that  may  hinder  the  continuance  or  the  re- 
newal of  brotherly  love  and  friendship,  which  is  the  glory 
and  cement  of  this  ancient  Fraternity;  that  we  may  show 
to  all  the  world  the  benign  influence  of  Masonry,  as  all 
wise,  true  and  faithful  Brothers  have  done  from  the  be- 
ginning of  time,  and  will  do  till  architecture  shall  be  dis- 
solved in  the  general  conflagration.  Amen.  So  mote  it 
be! 

All  these  charges  you  are  to  observe,  and  also  those  that 
shall  be  communicated  unto  you  in  a way  that  cannot  be 
written. 

Qualification  of  Candidates. — According  to  the  cus- 
toms and  regulations  of  our  Ancient  Brethren,  every  candi- 
date was  required  to  be  a “Freeman  born  of  a Free- woman.” 
This  formula  was  originally  considered  to  be  an  unchange- 
able landmark.  But  on  the  extinction  of  negro  slavery  in 
the  West  Indies  by  the  British  Parliament,  the  following 
arguments  were  used  at  a Grand  Lodge  meeting  September 
1,  1847,  in  favor  of  its  alteration.  The  Grand  Master  re- 
quested the  Brethren  to  consider  the  propriety  of  remod- 
eling the  form  by  which  a candidate  for  initiation  declared 
himself  to  be  free  born.  “There  are,”  he  said,  “at  the 
present  moment,  many  men  in  Jamaica  and  other  places 
who  are  free  by  the  law  of  emancipation,  and  yet,  their 
mothers  having  been  slaves,  they  cannot  conscientiously 
sign  such  a declaration,  knowing  it  to  be  untrue,  and,  in  the 
absence  of  that  preliminary  act,  we  cannot  initiate  them. 
I should  be  glad  to  see  it  altered'  and  therefore  move  that 
in  future  we  substitute  the  words  ‘Free  agent’  for  ‘Free 
born,’  and  that  the  declaration  be  thus  revised.”  After  a 
friendly  conversation  which  lasted  some  time,  it  was  unani- 
mously resolved  that  the  phrase  in  future  should  be  “Free- 
man,” and  that  the  words  “free  born”  should  be  canceled.* 

* Earliest  manuscript,  Halliwell,  or  Regius,  poem,  designates 
the  qualification  as  free,  not  freeborn.  Ancient  MSS.  1721. 


42  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Thus  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  changed  the  words 
“free  born”  in  their  constitution  to  “freeman.”  The 
Lodges  in  Canada,  Australia  and  other  continental  Grand 
Lodges  followed.  The  colored  Lodges  and  Grand  Lodge 
of  America,  believing  that  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal, 
created'  by  one  Almighty  Parent,  and  that  no  man  has  a 
right  to  rob  him  of  that  which  God  gave  him,  however, 
strictly  adhered  to  the  ancient  usages  and  customs  of  the 
Craft.  Never,  at  any  time,  have  they  changed  the  qualifi- 
cation for  candidates  for  Masonry.  Previous  to  I860  none 
but  freemen  were  made  Masons.  Brother  Robbin  com- 
ments on  this  question,  to  wit:  “The  lapse  of  the  full 

periods  of  a lifetime  of  a generation  has  substantially  re- 
moved the  only  fundamental  difficulty,  and  what  a third  of 
a century  ago  was  a burning  question,  viz. : whether  in  sub- 
stituting the  word  ‘free’  for  ‘born,’  fifty  years  ago,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  has  violated  a landmark,  now  ex- 
cites the  languid  interest  which  ever  attaches  to  an  abstrac- 
tion that  can  never  assume  the  concrete  form.” 

For  more  than  a century  there  have  always  been  white 
Masons  whose  interpretation  of  their  Masonic  obligations 
has  led  them  to  recognize  and  fraternize  with  all  Masons, 
notwithstanding  official  disapproval.  Innumerable  in- 
stances might  be  cited  where  individual  Brethren  and 
even  Lodges  let  their  appreciation  of  the  obligations  of  the 
Masonic  institution  led  them  to  ignore  the  stern  edicts  of 
their  Grand  Lodges  in  America,  and  more  or  less  openly 
extend  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  Brethren  from  colored 
Lodges.  This  is  as  it  should  be. 

Masonic  Work. — Whenever  there  was  any  Masonic 
work,  either  operative  or  speculative,  to  be  done,  that  was 
sufficient  warrant  for  the  proper  number  of  Masons  to  form 
themselves  into  a Lodge  and  do  the  work.  This  was  often 
done  in  America  among  both  white  and  colored  Masons 
until  1721,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  required 
that  those  Lodges  upon  her  roll  should  have  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter’s warrant.  This  new  rule  was  intended  to  apply  only 
to  the  members  of  its  own  Lodges.  However,  this  new 
rule  caused  much  dissatisfaction  among  the  Craft.  Ma- 
sonry, which,  from  time  immemorial,  had  been  one  uni- 
versal fraternity,  became  divided  into  two  distinct,  inde- 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  43 

pendent  and  hostile  societies,  each  denying  the  legitimacy 
of  the  other,  and  so  far  as  they  could  control  their  constitu- 
ents, held  that  its  members  .were  not  to  be  considered  Ma- 
sons, but  were  spurious  and  clandestine.  After  long  sep- 
aration these  bodies  were  reunited  and  became  one  family. 

Symbolic  Degrees. — Freemasonry,  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  1717,  consisted  of  three  symbolic  degrees,  includ- 
ing the  Holy  Royal  Arch.  Grand  Lodges  conferred  not  only 
the  Royal  Arc-h  degree,  but  that  of  Knight  Templar,  as 
well  as  detached  ceremonials. 

Many  of  the  Masons  coming  to  America  in  the  early  days 
received  these  degrees  in  England  and  France.  The  degrees 
were  not  squared  off  as  is  now  the  case.  Masonry  was  more 
universal  in  America,  and  without  doubt  neither  race  nor 
color  test  was  applied  to  a candidate  for  Masonry.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  was  organized 
in  London,  England,  in  1717.  This  grand  body  held  su- 
preme power  as  to  Masonry  over  the  civilized  world.  Har- 
mony prevailed  in  the  Craft  everywhere.  In  1751  nine 
subordinate  Lodges  were  expelled  in  England  for  disobe- 
dence.  These  expelled  Masons  organized  a Grand  Lodge 
under  the  title  of  Ancient  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M’s. 
Laurence  Dermott,  the  author  of  the  Ahiman  Rezon  Ritual, 
who  was  made  a Mason  in  Dublin,  in  1740,  was  its  Grand 
Secretary.  He  at  once  began  issuing  warrants  to  Lodges 
in  many  parts  of  the  world,  especially  in  North  America. 
Here  he  found  a ready  sale  for  his  book.  From  this  Grand 
Lodge  may  be' traced  nearly  all  the  subordinate  and  Grand 
Lodges  (white)  in  the  United  States.  This  Grand  Lodge 
not  only  conferred  the  Entered  xApprentice,  Fellow  Craft, 
Master  and  Royal  Arch  degrees,  but  those  leading  to  and 
including  the  Knight  Templar  also. 

In  1779  another  grand  body  was  formed  in  London  un- 
der the  title  “Grand  Lodge  of  England  South  of  the 
Trent.”  In  1789  the  expelled  members  of  the  Lodge  of 
Antiquity  apologized  to  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 
and  upon  petition  were  restored  to  good  standing.  In 
1813  a reunion  of  all  the  Grand  Lodges  in  England  was 
effected,  since  which  time  the  old  mother  Grand  Lodge  has 
reigned  supreme  in  the  United  Kingdom  undisturbed, 
and  her  individual  members  were  commonly  received  as 


44  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

visitors  throughout  the  world.  Even  in  the  United  States, 
Prince  Hall  tells  us  that  his  Lodge  of  colored  Masons 
was  often  visited  by  white  Masons. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  England  has  on  its  register  two 
thousand  subordinate  Lodges,  with  a membership  of  five 
hundred  thousand.  The  Grand  Lodge  meets  four  times 
a year  for  the  despatch  of  business  and  holds  Masonic  fes- 
tivals annually  in  April,  and  every  Mason,  of  whatever 
degree,  is  entitled  to  attend. 

Masonry  passed  from  England  to  France  as  early  as 
1725,  thence  to  Belgium,  Holland,  Germany,  America, 
Portugal,  Spain,  Italy,  Switzerland,  Sweden  and  Poland. 
As  early  as  1740  were  to  be  found  Lodges  in  Denmark, 
Bohemia,  Russia,  the  Antilles,  Africa  and  in  the  British 
possessions  in  Hindostan. 

Within  a few  years  after  the  formation  of  a Masonic 
Grand  Lodge  in  London,  in  1717,  many  of  the  nobility  and 
other  learned  men  became  members  of  the  Craft.  The 
growth  of  the  Fraternity  was  along  the  lines  of  universal 
brotherhood.  This  doctrine  was  taught  from  the  com- 
mencement by  all  civilized  men.  Its  membership  included 
distinguished  men  in  various  stations  of  life.  In  European 
countries  the  Craft  to  this  day  continues  to  enjoy  the 
patronage  and  co-operation  of  the  reigning  families  of 
nobility.  Among  its  Grand  Masters  were  such  men  as 
King  Edward,  King  Oscar,  Emperor  Frederick,  Emperor 
William,  Frederick  Duke  of  Cumberland,  Duke  of  Sussex, 
the  Duke  of  Connaught,  King  Kalakuana  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,  Sir  Richard  Steel,  Lord  Byron.  Robert  Burns, 
Voltaire,  Montesquieu,  Garibaldi,  Victor  Emmanuel,  Wel- 
lington, Bluclier,  Napoleon,  and  hundreds  of  other  promi- 
nent characters. 

Duke  of  Sussex,  the  most  popular  of  the  sons  of  George 
III.,  was  a steady  and  persevering  advocate  of  the  liberal 
side  in  politics.  In  his  votes  and  speeches  at  various  times, 
he  supported  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade  and  of  slavery. 
He  advocated  the  removal  of  all  distinction  founded  on 
difference  in  religious  creeds.  He  believed  that  all  men 
were  created  equal  by  one  Almighty  Parent.  He  was  con- 
nected with  many  public  and  benevolent  institutions.  On 
his  elder  brother  becoming  Prince  Regent  in  1S10,  the  Duke 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  45 

of  Sussex  became  Grand  Master  of  the  Freemasons  in  1813. 
He  was  free  from  all  ostentation  and  all  pride. of  rank.  He 
was  a great  lover  of  books  and  possessed  the  most  magnifi- 
cent private  library  in  Great  Britain.  His  library  con- 
sisted of  50,000  volumes,  12,000  of  which  were  theological 
works.  He  was,  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  the  persevering 
and  unwearied  patron  and  advocate  of  every  charitable  in- 
stitution, of  every  benevolent  project,  for  the  support  of 
which  his  purse  was  open  at  all  times.  Lip  service  found 
no  favor  with  him ; it  was  the  genuine  sentiment  of  a kindly 
heart.  He  demanded  from  others  what  he  displayed  him- 
self— an  ungrudging  and  practical  generosity.  He  was 
often  called,  by  way  of  eminence,  the  popular  member  of 
the  royal  family.  He  was  loved  by  the  great  body  of  the 
people.  He  died  in  April,  1813,  the  whole  English  nation 
mourning  his  loss  with  deep  sorrow.  Here  is  the  nation’s 
epitaph : 

“When  dies  the  prince,  or  when  the  peasant  dies, 

How  seldom  truth  the  epitaph  supplies: 

But  if  of  Sussex  all  that’s  true  be  told, 

Few  were  his  faults,  his  virtues  manifold.” 

Masonic  history  informs  us  that  for  thirty  successive 
years  the  Duke  of  Sussex  received  the  unanimous  votes  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  each  nomination  for  Grand  Master. 
It  is  well  known  that  his  election  was  never  influenced  by 
canvassers,  rings  or  cliques.  His  exalted  position,  his  dis- 
interested love  of  Freemasonry,  his  fitness  for  the  high 
office,  and  above  all,  the  manifold  virtues  universally  ac- 
corded to  him,  were  sufficient  reasons  to  induce  his  English 
Brethren  to  keep  the  Duke'in  office  as  long  as  he  wished  to 
remain. 

In  Freemasons’  Hall,  Ho.  62  Great  Queen  Street,  Lon- 
don, may  be  seen  in  one  of  the  end  recesses  a marble  statue 
of  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  seven  feet  six  inches  high,  on  a 
pedestal  six  feet  high.  It  was  executed  for  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  E.  H.  Bailey. 

Provincial  Grand  Lodge’s  Origin,  1726. — A Provin- 
cial Grand  Lodge  is,  as  its  name  implies,  an  epitome  of  the 
General  Grand  Lodge  in  the  metropolis,  but  its  jurisdic- 
tion is  strictly  limited  to  the  boundaries  of  the  country  or 
district  where  it  is  held.  A warrant  is  not  necessary  to 


4 6 Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

give  a sanction  to  its  meetings,  for  it  is  summoned  by  tbe 
sole  authority  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Master,  conveyed  to 
him  by  his  patent  of  appointment,  for  which  he  pays  three 
guineas  and  twenty  guineas  to  the  fund  of  general  pur- 
poses. The  appointment  of  this  officer  is  vested  in  the 
Grand  Master ; he  may  he  removed  by  the  same  authority  at 
any  time.  He  is  the  representative  of  the  Grand  Master 
within  the  country  or  province  of  his  jurisdiction,  with 
powers  second  only  to  himself — his  decisions  being  subject 
to  no  other  authority.  It  is  his  duty  to  report  to  the  Grand 
Secretary  an  account  of  the  state  of  Masonry  in  his  coun- 
try or  province,  together  with  a list  of  his  Lodges,  marking 
any  new  ones  that  may  have  been  established  by  him  and 
transmitting  the  fees  therefor;  and  to  investigate  and  re- 
port upon  all  matters  that  may  be  referred  to  him  by  the 
Grand  Master  or  the  Grand  Secretary.  He  is  empowered 
to  summon  and  suspend,  in  case  of  contumacy,  Lodges  or 
Brothers.  He  may  take  the  chair  and  preside  over  any 
Lodge  in  his  province,  observing  that  the  ancient  land- 
marks, usages  and  customs  are  duly  respected  and  obeyed. 

Origin  of  Provincial  Grand  Master. — In  the  year 
A.  D.  1782,  Bro.  Dagge  proposed  in  Grand  Lodge  at  the 
election  of  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cambridge  to 
the  office  of  Grand  Master,  “That  whenever  a prinee  of  the 
blood  did  the  society  the  honor  to  accept  the  office  of  Grand 
Master  he  should  be  at  liberty  to  nominate  any  peer  of  the 
realm  to  be  the  Acting  Grand  Master,”  which  passed  unani- 
mously in  the  affirmative.  Accordingly,  in  1790,  the 
Grand  Master,  deeply  sensible  of  the  great  honor  conferred 
on  the  society  by  the  initiation  of  the  Dukes  of  York, 
Gloucester,  Cumberland  and  Sussex,  unanimously  resolved 
that  each  of  them  should  be  invested  with  and  have  the 
privilege  of  wearing  the  clothing  of  a grand  officer,  and  that 
they  should  be  placed  in  all  public  meetings  of  the  society 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  rank  in  all  pro- 
cessions as  Past  Grand  Masters.  His  collar  and  jewel  is 
precisely  the  same  as  that  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  in  case 
of  a vacancy  he  actually  assumes  the  office  until  the  next 
election.  Thus  it  appears  that  a Provincial  Grand  Mas- 
ter can  only  be  appointed  when  the  Masonic  throne  is 
accompanied  by  a-  prince  of  blood  royal. 


St.  John’s 


Among1  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  47 


48  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  Early  Brethren  Worshiped  at  St.  John’s 
Church,  Chester,  England. — The  Church  of  St.  John 
the  Baptist,  in  Chester,  built  in  the  tenth  century,  and 
still  in  use  for  the  purpose  of  Christian  worship,  has,  lying 
between  the  chancel,  the  ruins  of  the  Lady  chapel,  which 
was  crushed  by  the  fall  of  the  tower  several  centuries  ago, 
and  the  tower,  that  was  erected  in  the  place  of  the  one  that 
fell,  has  long  since  been  a ruin. 

St.  John’s  was  once  a collegiate  church,  having  a dean, 
seven  prebendiaries,  and  four  vicars.  As  an  ecclesiastical 
institution  it  held  high  rank  and  contributed  much  to  the 
celebrity  of  the  locality  where  it  was  established.  The 
church,  as  already  stated,  is  now  in  a decayed  condition, 
while  the  buildings  that  once  surrounded  it,  are  in  ruins  or 
have  been  removed ; but  the  old  church  remains  with  the  ad- 
joining burial  place,  a good  view  of  which  is  here  presented. 
No  cultured  person  visiting  Chester  will  go  away  without 
taking  a look  at  this  crumbling  edifice,  so  suggestive  a 
memorial  of  the  past,  a reminder  of  priests  and  worship- 
pers, and  also  of  the  skilful  Masons  who  laid  its  foundation 
walls,  many  centuries  ago.  Standing  before  such  an 
ancient  token,  mindful  of  the  fact  that  it  has  witnessed  the 
passing  away  of  generations,  and  is  itself  doomed  to  decay, 
we  are  reminded  of  man’s  spiritual  nature,  which  outlasts 
all  material  forms  and  forces,  which  alone  endures  through 
the  ages.  In  its  yard  may  be  seen  the  tombs  of  many  of  the 
early  Craftsmen. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  4 9 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MASONIC  MONUMENTS. 

The  spirit  and  true  character  of  Freemasonry  have  been 
so  well  expressed  by  our  English  Brethren  as  to  entitle  them 
to  the  approving  judgment  of  the  Craft  everywhere.  They 
have  made  a good  representation  of  the  Masonic  system; 
by  ritual  and  ceremony  have  traced  its  historic  unfoldings 
from  the  beginning  until  now,  made  clear  showing  of  its 
scientific  side  and  social  adaptation,  while  they  have  like- 
wise illustrated  the  right  order  of  its  practice  by  applying 
its  principles  in  ways  of  generous  beneficence.  Thus  they 
have  established  and  nobly  sustained  three  institutions, 
whose  efficient  service  in  the  way  of  help  and  blessing  makes 
bright  and  enduring  record  of  Masonic  zeal  and  faithful- 
ness. One  of  these  institutions  is  the  Home  for  Aged  and 
Indigent  Brethren,  the  second  is  the  Girls’  School  and  the 
third  the  School  for  Boys. 

The  Masonic  Institution  for  Boys  was  founded  in  1798 
by  a branch  of  the  Ancient,  or  Atholl,  Grand  Lodge  of 
England.  In  1798  a contribution  was  set  on  foot  to 
raise  funds  for  “educating  and  clothing  the  sons  of  indi- 
gent Freemasons.”  The  Duke  of  Atholl,  Grand  Master  of 
that  section  of  the  Craft  designated  by  his  title,  gave  lib- 
erally for  the  object,  as  did  many  of  the  grand  officers  and 
other  members  of  the  Fraternity. 

A liberal  support  has  been  given  to  the  schools  during 
these  later  years  of  its  history.  There  has  been  a steady 
upward  trend  in  giving  and  doing  for  the  institutions. 
Thirty-five  years  ago,  at  the  annual  festival,  the  Secretary 
announced  a total  of  subscriptions  for  the  benefit  of  the 
schools  amounting  to  about  $360,  and  this  was  regarded  as 
satisfactory;  but  now  more  than  $10,000  is  expected  to  be 


50 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Masonic  Home. 

Koyal  Masonic  Benevolent  Institution  for  Aged  Freemasons  and  Widows  of  Freemasons  at 
Croydon  (London  , F,ngland. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  5t 

realized  at  a similar  occasion.  In  1869  the  total  sum  offi 
tained  for  the  institutions  was  $12,200 ; in  1883,  when  a 
special  effort  was  made  to  provide  for  a preparatory  school, 
over  $23,000  was  obtained.  In  other  years  there  have  been 
collections  reaching  large  amounts,  so  that  the  grand  total 
presents  figures  that  at  first  would  hardly  be  expected.  The 
London  Freemason,  in  a recent  issue,  called  attention  to  the 


Westminster  Abbey. 


faithful  services  of  Brother  F.  Binckes,  chief  executive 
officer  of  the  institutions  for  the  last  quarter  of  a century, 
and  noted  the  sums  collected  during  the  twenty-four  festi- 
vals at  which  he  has  assisted,  aggregating  $222,657,  or  an 
average  of  $9,277  for  each  annual  collection.  Surely 
these  are  the  figures  that  have  eloquence  beyond  words. 


52  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  Royal  Masonic  Institution  has  now  a grand  equip- 
ment for  its  work.  It  cares  for  and  educates  at  the  present 
time  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  pupils.  Its  education 
status  is  excellent,  and  its  home  culture  and  ministries  of 
the  best  character.  It  has  rendered  a blessed  service.  Its 
usefulness  was  never  more  pronounced  than  now.  Such 
institutions  deserve  the  fostering-  care  and  generous  sup- 
port that  have  been  accorded  them.  We  rejoice,  with  all 
the  Craft,  in  their  growth  and  prosperity. 

Westminster  Abbey. — All  things  considered,  this  struc- 
ture may  be  said  to  outrank  in  interest  all  other  notable 
buildings  in  London.  It  has  the  prestige  of  age,  historical 
association,  and  a varied  ecclesiasticism  which  invests  it 
with  pre-eminent  attractions.  Its  architectural  preten- 
sions are  of  more  than  a common  order,  so  that  the  building 
itself,  with  its  rich  ornamentation,  is  alike  impressive  and 
beautiful.  Westminster  Abbey,  however,  possesses  another 
charm  in  being  the  burial  place  of  kings,  statesmen,  war- 
riors, ecclesiastics,  men  of  letters  and  honored  and  illus- 
trious Masons  whose  memorials  constitute  extraordinary 
features  of  interest. 

The  following  tabulation  shows  the  spread  of  Freema- 
sonry, under  the  Grand  Lodge  system,  since  1717,  starting 
from  the  mother  Grand  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
located  in  London,  England,  all  recognizing  colored  Ma- 
sons everywhere: 


(The  indicates  where  colored  Masons  are  received.) 


Lodges. 

Locations. 

Chartered  from. 

* 

1717 

First  Masonic  G. 

L.  London 

England. 

* 

l'<25 

France 

Paris 

England. 

* 

1726 

Ireland 

Cork 

England. 

* 

1727 

Scotland 

Edinburgh 

England. 

❖ 

1728  Spain 

Madrid 

England. 

* 

1730 

Germany 

Hamburg 

England. 

1730 

Massachusetts 

Boston 

England. 

* 

1731 

India 

Calcutta 

England. 

* 

1731 

Netherland 

Hague 

England. 

* 

1731 

Russia 

St.  Petersburg 

England. 

1733 

Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia 

Massachusetts. 

1735 

New  Hampshire 

Portsmouth 

Massachusetts. 

* 

1736 

Portugal 

Lisbon 

England. 

Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  53 


Lodges. 

Locations. 

Chartered  from. 

* 

1736 

Norway  and  Sweden 

Stockholm 

France. 

* 

1736 

Italy 

Rome 

England. 

1736 

Georgia 

Savannah 

England. 

1736 

South  Carolina 

Charleston 

England. 

* 

1736 

Switzerland 

Geneva 

England. 

¥ 

1736 

Poland 

Warsaw 

England. 

* 

1737 

Monserrat 

England. 

* 

1738 

Martinique 

France. 

* 

1739 

Jamaica 

Kingston 

England. 

* 

1739 

Antigua 

England. 

❖ 

1739 

St.  Christopher 

England. 

* 

1740 

Prussia  * 

Charlottenburg 

Germany. 

* 

1740 

Africa 

Beira 

❖ 

1740 

Malta 

Valetta 

England. 

% 

1740 

West  Indies 

Barbados 

England. 

❖ 

1742 

Austria 

Vienna 

England. 

❖ 

1743 

Denmark 

Copenhagen 

Germany. 

❖ 

1747 

St.  Euslatius 

France. 

❖ 

1747 

Transvaal 

Pretoria 

England. 

❖ 

1748 

Turkey 

Constantinople 

England. 

* 

1749 

Hayti 

San  Domingo 

France. 

1749 

Rhode  Island 

Newport 

Massachusetts. 

1750 

Connecticut 

New  Haven 

Massachusetts. 

1750 

Maryland 

Baltimore 

Massachusetts. 

1754 

New  York 

New  York  City 

England. 

Massachusetts. 

1754 

Virginia 

Yorktown 

1754 

North  Carolina 

Wilmington 

England. 

1755 

French  Guiana 

Cayenne 

France. 

* 

1757 

Curacao 

Holland. 

* 

1760 

Virgin  Islands 

England. 

* 

1760 

Hungary 

Presburg 

Germany. 

* 

1761 

Bermudas 

England. 

* 

1761 

New  Jersey 

Newark 

New  York. 

❖ 

1762 

Dominion  of  Canada  Quebec 

Massachusetts. 

1762 

Maine 

Portland 

Massachusetts. 

* 

1763 

Nicaragua 

Mosquito  Shore 

England. 

* 

1763 

Honduras 

St.  George’s  Quay 

England. 

* 

1764 

Granada 

Fort  Royal 

England. 

* 

1765 

Sumatra 

Bencoolen 

England. 

1765 

Delaware 

Cantwell’s  Bridge 

Pennsylvania. 

* 

1766 

Guadeloupe 

France. 

* 

1767 

China 

Canton,  Hongkong 

England. 

* 

1768 

China 

Cochin 

France. 

❖ 

1768 

Siam 

Bangkok 

England. 

* 

1768 

Prince  Edward  Isl. 

Alberton 

England. 

1768 

Florida 

St.  Augustine 

Scotland. 

-i- 

1769 

Java 

Batavia 

Holland. 

1769 

Dutch  Guiana 

Paramaribo 

Holland. 

54 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Lodges. 

Locations. 

Chartered  from. 

* 

1771 

Ceylon 

Colombo 

Holland. 

* 

1771 

British  Guiana 

Georgetown 

England. 

* 

1772 

South  Africa 

Cape  Town 

England. 

❖ 

1773 

Dominica 

Roseau 

England. 

1781 

Vermont 

Springfield 

. Massachusetts. 

1783 

Ohio 

Marietta 

A.  N.  Y.  Army  Ldg. 

* 

1784 

Massachusetts 

Boston 

Afr.  Lodge,  Eng. 

1783 

Dist.  of  Columbia 

Alexandria 

Pennsylvania. 

* 

1784 

St.  Lucia 

France. 

* 

1785 

Bahamas 

England. 

1788 

Kentucky 

Lexington 

Virginia. 

* 

1792 

St.  Thomas 

Pennsylvania. 

1793 

Louisiana 

New  Orleans 

France. 

1794 

Michigan 

Detroit 

Canada. 

1796 

Tennessee 

Nashville 

North  Carolina. 

* 

1797 

St.  Bartholomew 

Sweden. 

* 

1798 

Trinidad 

Port  d’Espagne 

Pennsylvania. 

% 

1800 

St.  Martin 

France. 

1801 

Mississippi 

Natchez 

Kentucky. 

* 

1801 

Venezuela 

Caracas 

Spain. 

❖ 

1802 

Egypt 

Alexandria 

France. 

❖ 

1804 

Cuba 

Havana 

Pennsylvania. 

1805 

Illinois 

Kaskaskia 

Pennsylvania. 

* 

1806 

St.  Vincent 

Ireland. 

1807 

Missouri 

St.  Genevieve 

Pennsylvania 

* 

1807 

India 

Vincennes 

Kentucky. 

1807 

Peru 

Lima 

France. 

* 

1809 

Greece 

Corfu 

England. 

* 

1809 

Straits 

Penang 

England. 

* 

1810 

Mexico 

City  of  Mexico 

Spain. 

1811 

Alabama 

Huntsville 

Kentucky 

* 

1815 

Brazil 

Rio  de  Janeiro 

France. 

* 

1816 

New  South  Wales 

Sydney 

Island. 

1816 

Arkansas 

Past  of  Arkansas 

Pennsylvania. 

* 

1823 

Tasmania 

Hobart  Town 

Island. 

* 

1824 

Mexico,  revival 

City  of  Mexico 

Pennsylvania. 

1824 

Wisconsin 

Green  Bay 

New  York. 

$ 

1825 

Argentine 

Rep.  Buenos  Ayres 

Pennsylvania. 

* 

1832 

Uruguay 

Montevideo 

Pennsylvania 

* 

1832 

Algeria 

Algiers 

France. 

* 

1833 

U.  S.  Colombia 

Carthagena 

Spain. 

* 

1834 

South  Australia 

Adelaide 

England. 

* 

1834 

Society  Islands 

Tahiti 

France. 

1835 

Texas 

Brazoria 

Louisiana. 

* 

1840 

Chili 

Valparaiso 

France. 

* 

1841 

Victoria 

Melbourne 

England. 

* 

1843 

West  Australia 

Perth 

England. 

1842 

Iowa 

Montrose 

Illinois, 

Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  55 


Lodges. 

Locations. 

Chartered  from. 

* 

1843 

New  Zealand 

Akaroa 

France. 

1848 

California 

Sacramento 

Ohio. 

1849 

Minnesota 

St.  Paul 

Dist.  Columbia. 

1850 

Oregon 

Oregon  City 

California. 

* 

1850 

Sandwich  Islands 

Honolulu 

France. 

* 

1850 

Marquesas 

Nukahia 

France. 

loOl 

New  Mexico 

Santa  Fe 

Missouri. 

* 

1852 

Washington . 

Olympia 

Oregon. 

1854 

Kansas 

Wyandotte 

Missouri. 

1855 

Nebraska 

Illinois. 

1855 

Indian  Territory 

Muskogee 

Arkansas 

* 

1857 

Ecuador 

Guayaquil 

Peru. 

* 

1859 

Roumania 

Bucharest 

France. 

* 

1859 

Queensland 

Brisbane 

England. 

* 

1860 

Porto  Rico 

Mayaguez 

Cuba. 

1860 

Tunis 

Tunis 

France. 

1861 

Colorado 

Golden  City 

Nebraska. 

1862 

Nevada 

Carson  City 

California. 

1862 

Dakota 

Yankton 

Iowa. 

1863 

Montana 

Bannock 

Nebraska. 

1863 

Idaho 

Idaho  City 

Oregon. 

1863 

West  Virginia 

Nonrnea 

* 

1864 

New  Caledonia 

Yeddo 

France. 

* 

1866 

Japura 

England. 

1866 

Utah 

Salt  Lake  Cixy 

Nevada. 

1866 

Arizona 

Prescott 

California. 

* 

1867 

Liberia 

Monrovia 

England. 

* 

1867 

Costa  Rica 

San  Jose 

Spain. 

1868 

Wyoming 

Cheyenne 

Colorado. 

* 

1875 

Fiji  Islands 

Lconka 

Scotland. 

* 

1875 

Bolivia 

Peru. 

1875 

Servia 

Belgrade 

Italy. 

1880 

Philippine  Islands 

Manila 

Spain. 

* 

1S81 

Paraguay 

Asuncion 

Brazil. 

* 

1881 

Guatemala 

Carthagena 

U.  S.  Colombia. 

* 

1882 

San  Salvador 

Costa  Rica. 

* 

1883 

Celebes  Islands 

Maeassar 

Holland. 

* 

1885 

Borneo 

Elopuro 

England. 

GRAND  MASTERS,  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ENGLAND, 
1717—1902. 

1719 —  J.  T.  Desaguliers. 

1720 —  George  Payne. 


1717 —  Anthony  Sa}rer. 

1718 —  George  Payne. 


56 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


1721 —  John,  Duke  of  Montague. 

1722 —  Philip,  Duke  of  Wharton. 

1723 —  Francis,  Earl  of  Dalkeith. 

1724 —  Charles,  Duke  of  Richmond. 

1725 —  James,  Lord  Praisley. 

1726 —  William,  Earl  of  Inchiquin. 

1727 —  Henry,  Lord  Colerane. 

1728 —  James,  Lord  Kingston  of  Ireland,  1730. 

1729— 30 — Thomas,  Duke  of  Norfolk. 

1731 —  Thomas,  Lord  Lovel. 

1732 —  Anthony,  Viscount  Montague. 

1733 —  James,  Earl  of  Strathmore. 

1734 —  John,  Earl  of  Crawford. 

1735 —  Thomas,  Viscount  Weymouth. 

1736 —  John,  Earl  of  Loudoun. 

1737 —  Edward,  Earl  of  Darnlej 

1738 —  Henry,  Marquess  of  Carnavun. 

1739 —  Robert,  Lord  Raymond. 

1740 —  John,  Earl  of  Kintore,  Scotland,  1738. 

1741 —  James,  Earl  of  Morton,  Scotland,  1739. 

1742— 43 — John,  Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward. 

1744 —  Thomas,  Earl  of  Strathmore,  Scotland,  1740. 

1745- 46 — James,  Lord  Cranstoun. 

1747-51 — AATlliam,  Lord  Byron. 

1752-53 — John,  Lord  Carysfort. 

1754-56 — James,  Marquess  Carnavon. 

1757-61 — Sholto,  Lord  Aberdour.  afterwards  sixteenth 
Earl  of  Morton,  G.  M.  Scotland,  lrtJ5-56. 

1762-63 — Washington,  Earl  Ferrers. 

1764-66 — Caldwallader,  Lord  Blaney. 

1767-71 — Henry,  Duke  of  Beauford. 

1772-76 — Robert,  Lord  Petre. 

1777-82 — George,  Duke  of  Manchester. 

1782-90 — H.  R.  H.,  the  Duke  of  Cumberland. 

1790-1813 — H.  R.  H.,  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

1813-43 — H.  R.  IL,  the  Duke  of  Sussex. 

1844-70 — Earl  of  Zetland. 

1870-74 — Earl  of  De  Gray  and  Ripon. 

1874-1901 — H.  R.  IL,  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

1901 — H.  R.  H.,  the  Duke  of  Connaught  and  Strathearn. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  57 


ACTING  OE  PROVINCIAL  GRAND  MASTERS, 
1782—1902.* 

The  office  was  established  in  1782,  Thomas,  third  Earl 
of  Effingham.  1782-89;  Francis,  Earl  of  Moira,  1789-1813, 
or  Lord  Rawdon. 

Revived  as  Provincial  Grand  Masters: 

Lawrence,  Lord  Dundas,  1834-39. 

John  George,  1839-40. 

Thomas,  second  Earl  of  Zetland,  1840-43. 

Henry  Howard  Moyjneux,  1874-1890. 

Edward,  Earl  Lathorn,  1890-98. 

William  Archer,  Earl  Amherst,  1898-99. 


*This  appointment  is  only  authorized  in  the  case  of  the 
Grand  Master  being  a Prince  of  the  Blood  Royal. 


58 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  AMERICA. 

St.  J oiin’s  Lodge  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  was  the  first 
Lodge  of  Masons  in  the  American  Colonies.  This  Lodge 
was  organized  July  30th,  1733,  by  Henry  Price,  an  English- 
man (born  in  1697,  and  died  May  20th,  1780),  who  claimed 
to  have  authority  from  the  Grand  Master  of  England, 
Lord  Viscount  Montague.  Bro.  Henry  Price  was  never 
called  upon  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  England,  to 
report  upon  the  condition  of  the  Craft  in  America.  There 
is  no  record  anywhere  to  show  that  he  ever  was  appointed 
Provincial  Grand  Master.  Prior  to  1770-74,  at  which  time 
Bro.  John  T.  Heard  appealed  to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  to  find  out  something  as  to  Bro. 
Price’s  authority,  and  there  was  no  record  to  he  found. 
He  said  to  Bro.  John  Heard : “It  was  the  prerogative  of  the 
Grand  Master  to  appoint  the  Provincial  Grand  Masters. 
Such  appointments  were  not  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  therefore  do  not  appear  in  the  record  of  that  body.” 

Brother  Rowe  received  his  deputation  in  1768.  The 
Rowe  charter  was  burned  in  Winthrop  House  fire.  A copy 
of  the  charter  was  furnished  by  the  grand  officers  in  1864, 
and  bears  date  of  1783.  As  to  the  accuracy  of  this  copy 
we  have  been  unable  to  determine.  This  Lodge  must  have 
worked  without  a warrant  or  authority  for  thirty-five 
years.  St.  John’s  Lodge,  126,  was  changed  in  its  number 
five  times,  its  last  number  being  39,  in  1792. 

Reports  of  Grand  Lodge  of  England  from  1721  to  1783 
give  no  account  of  warranting  this  Lodge  in  1733. 

Brother  Gardner’s  defence  of  Henry  Price  before  the 


Among:  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  59 

Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  December  27th,  1872,  may  be 
found  in  Freemasons’  Magazine,  June  1st,  1872. 

From  this  Lodge  comes  principally  all  the  Masonic 
Lodges  among  our  white  brethren.  On  June  24th,  1734,  it 
granted  a dispensation  for  the  first  Lodge  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  Benjamin  Franklin  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  its 
first  Master. 

Franklin  wrote  of  the  Fraternity  as  follows  :* 

“It  has  secrets  peculiar  to  itself,  but  of  what  do  those  princi- 
pally consist?  They  consist  of  signs  and  tokens,  which  serve  as 
testimonials  of  character  and  qualifications,  which  are  only  con- 
ferred after  a due  course  of  instruction  and  examination.  These 
are  of  no  small  value.  They  speak  a universal  language,  and  act 
as  a passport  to  the  attention  and  support  of  the  initiated  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  They  cannot'  be  lost  so  long  as  memory 
retains  its  power.  Let  the  possessor  of  them  be  expatriated, 
shipwrecked  or  imprisoned,  let  him  be  stripped  of  everything  he 
has  got  in  the  world,  still  these  credentials  remain  and  are  avail- 
able for  use  as  circumstances  require.  The  great  effects  which 
they  have  produced  are  established  by  the  most  incontestable 
facts  of  history.  They  have  stayed  the  uplifted  hand  of  the 
destroyer,  they  have  softened  the  asperities  of  the  tyrant,  they 
have  investigated  the  horrors  of  captivity;  they  have  subdued  the 
rancor  of  malevolence,  and  broken  down  the  barriers  of  political 
animosity  and  sectarian  alienation.  On  the  field  of  battle,  in  the 
solitude  of  uncultivated  forest,  or  in  the  busy  haunts  of  the 
crowded  city,  they  have  made  men  of  the  most  hostile  feelings, 
the  most  distant  religion  and  the  most  diversified  conditions,  rush 
to  the  aid  of  each  other  and  feel  social  joy  and  satisfaction  that 
the}"  have  been  able  to  afford  relief  to  a brother  Mason.” 

Numerous  military  Lodges  were  warranted  by  both  the 
“Ancient  and  Modern”  Grand  Lodges  of  England,  and  by 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scotland  and  Ireland.  These  Lodges 
also  had  connected  with  them,  under  the  same  warrant, 
Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  holding  under  the  author- 
ity of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  England  and  Scotland.  In 
1766  there  were  two  military  Lodges  stationed  at  Boston, 
No.  58  on  the  register  of  England,  connected  with  the 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  and  No.  322,  register  of  Ireland, 
attached  to  the  Twenty-ninth  Regiment.  As  early  as  1762, 
St.  Andrew’s  Lodge  of  Boston,  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Scotland,  from  which  it  had  received  its  warrant,  for 

*(CyeIoppeclia  of  Fraternities,  by  A.  C.  Stevens,  p.  17.  (Vol, 
1.)  (Franklin's  Works.) 


60 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

leave  to  confer  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  and  subsequently, 
under  this  warrant,  it  conferred  both  the  degrees  of  Royal 
Arch  and  Knight  Templar. 

Spread  of  Freemasonry  in  the  Colonies. — On  June 
24th,  1734,  dispensation  was  also  issued  by  Henry  Prince, 
of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass.,  for  the  “Holy  Lodge  of 
St.  John,”  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  which  Lodge 
is  still  in  existence  and  is  one  of  the  most  flourishing  in 
the  State.  The  next  charter  issued  was  for  the  “First 
Lodge  in  South  Carolina,”  located  at  Charleston,  and 
dated  December  27th,  1735.  On  December  27th,  1749, 
authority  for  “St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,”  was  granted,  and  this  Lodge  is  still  in  existence. 
Authority  was  also  subsequently  granted  for  other  Lodges 
in  the  State.  August  12th,  1750,  “Maryland  Lodge”  was 
established  at  Annapolis,  in  Maryland,  but  we  believe  it  is 
not  now  in  existence.  August  12th,  1752,  a warrant  was 
granted  for  “Hiram  Lodge,”  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
which  is  still  in  existence.  Warrants  were  also  afterwards 
granted  for  other  Lodges  in  the  State.  In  1756  a warrant 
was  granted  for  an  army  Lodge  at  Crown  Point,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  in  1759  for  another  at  Lake 
George,  and  in  1762  for  still  another  at  Crown  Point ; and 
in  September,  1782,  a dispensation  was  granted  by  the  then 
Grand  Master  to  John  Copp  and  others  for  a Lodge  in 
the  State  of  New  York.  Neither  the  name  nor  the  location 
is  given  in  the  record.  In  1762  “Temple  Lodge,  No.  1,” 
was  authorized  at  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  being  the 
first  Lodge  in  that  province.  In  1764  another  Lodge  was 
authorized  to  be  held  at  Princeton,  in  the  same  colony,  by 
the  name  of  “St.  John’s  Lodge.”  In  1765  a dispensation 
was  issued  for  “Pitts  County  Lodge,”  in  North  Carolina, 
and  in  1767  another  for  a Lodge  in  Virginia.  In  November, 
1781,  a warrant  was  issued  for  “Vermont  Lodge,”  at  Cor- 
nish, Vermont,  being  the  first  Lodge  in  that  State,  and  in 
1785  another  for  “North  Star  Lodge,”  at  Manchester,  Ver- 
mont. In  1796  “American  Union  Lodge”  was  authorized 
at  Marietta,  Ohio.  The  above  comprise  all  the  old  colo- 
nies except  Delaware  and  Georgia,  the  last  of  which  re- 
ceived its  first  Masonic  authority  from  England  in  1735. 
The  Lodges  whose  names  are  given  all  derived  their  author- 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  6t 

ity  from  Massachusetts,  and  were  the  first  in  their  re- 
sjiective  districts. 

Masonic  Archives  Captured. — The  Masonic  chest  of 
the  Forty-sixth  English  Begiment  in  America,  by  chance  of 
war,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.  General  Wash- 
ington, on  learning  that  fact,  directed  that  a guard  of 
honor,  under  the  command  of  a distinguished  officer,  should 
take  charge  of  the  chest  and  return  it  to  that  regiment. 
The  chest  was  accordingly  borne  aloft  like  another  Ark  of 
the  Covenant,  and  safely  restored  to  the  old  Forty-sixth, 
who  received  it  with  great  rejoicing. 

Among  the  archives  of  this  Lodge  are  many  interesting 
records  of  high  value  on  account  of  their  Masonic  character. 
Fredericksburg  Lodge,  Xo.  4,  of  Virginia,  claims  that 
George  Washington  was  made  a Mason  in  said  Lodge  in 
1752.*  This  Lodge  was  also  without  a warrant  at  this 
time,  and  did  not  receive  one  until  1758.  Before  receiving 
the  warrant  it  granted  authority  for  a Lodge  at  Falmouth, 
and  organized  Botetourt  Lodge  at  Gloucester  Court  House, 
both  located  in  Virgina.  Mount  Vernon  Lodge,  Xo.  3,  of 
Xew  York,  worked  from  1759  to  1800  under  a copy  of  a 
warrant  given  it  by  an  ancient  Irish  Army  Lodge. f 

Charters  in  America. — The  first  charter  issued  from 
England  to  America  was  in  1729,  establishing  a Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  in  Xew  Jersey,  and  located  at  Trenton.  The 
warrant  was  addressed  to  Peter  Holt,  Trenton,  Xew  Jersey, 
signed  by  the  Duke  of  Xorfolk,  G.  M.  (Anderson’s  His- 
tory of  Freemasonry.) 

The  second  warrant  issued  was  July  30th,  1730,  estab- 
lishing St.  John’s  Lodge,  located  in  Boston,  Mass.  The 
Lodge  was  organized  April  30th,  1733.  The  warrant  was 
said  to  be  signed  by  “Lord  Viscount  Montague,  G.  M.”  The 
officers  of  this  Lodge  were  installed  by  Bro.  Henry  Price. 
However  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  do  not 
show  that  Henry  Price  was  working  under  the  authority 
of  that  body  in  1.733. 


*George  Washington,  in  Army  Lodge,  Freemasons’  Quar- 
terly Review,  pp.  138,  1833.  Records  of  Lodge  No.  227,  of  the 
Registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  Freemasons’  Quarterly 
Review,  July,  1834. 

•[■Records  English  Army  Lodges,  1759  to  1800. 


62 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  third  warrant  was  issued  September  29th,  1784, 
establishing  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  located  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  signed  by  Henry  Frederick,  Duke  of  Cumberland, 
G.  M.  (Seal  G.  M.) 

Attest,  Wm.  White,  G.  S.  (Seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge.) 

The  Lodge  officers  were  duly  installed  under  warrant  of 
1787.  W.  M.,  Prince  Hall;  S.  W.,  Boston  Smith;  J.  W., 
Thomas  Sanderson. 

The  fourth  warrant,  issued  November  30th,  1755,  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  signed  by  Lord  Aberdour, 
Sholto,  Charles  Douglass,  G.  M.,  establishing  St.  Andrew’s 
Lodge,  No.  82,  located  in  Boston,  Mass. 

It  will  he  seen  that  the  Lodge  at  Trenton  was  not  opened, 
as  the  warrant  mentioned  by  Brother  Anderson  never 
reached  America.  This  makes  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  1; 
African  Lodge  No.  459  No.  2*  (coming  direct  from 
England  to  America),  and  St.  Andrew’s  No.  3 (coming 
from  Scotland). 

There  were  two  white  Grand  Lodges  in  Massachusetts  for 
forty  j^ears,  each  claiming  supreme  jurisdiction.  St. 
John's,  organized  by  Henry  Price,  hailing  from  England, 
and  St.  Andrew’s,  with  Joseph  Warren  as  Provincial 
G.  M.,  commissioned  March  3d,  1772,  and  signed  by  Pat- 
rick Earl,  G.  M.  of  Scotland.  (Warren  fell  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  June  17th,  1775.)  On  March  8th,  1777, 
Thomas  S.  Webb,  a friend  of  Prince  Hall,  was  elected  in 
his  place,  and  succeeded  in  uniting  the  two  bodies  June 
19th,  1792,  electing  John  Cutler  of  Boston.  Mass.,  G.  M., 
W.  Andrew  Belcher,  D.  G.  M.,  Thomas  Ivennelly,  S.  G.  W., 
John  Quann,  J.  G.  W.,  and  fixing  the  title  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  that  of  Most  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  for  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts,  since  which  time  the  Craft  has  pursued  their 
labor  without  interruption,  especially  since  the  new  Grand 
Lodge  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  State  House,  November 

* Previous  to  1792  all  the  white  Lodges  that  had  received  char- 
ters from  England  were  erased.  See  printed  proceedings  of  the 
Mother  Grand  Lodge,  dated  April,  A.  D.,  1792,  which  shows  that 
African  Lodge  No.  459  was  the  only  Lodge  in  the  United  States 
recognized  by  that  Grand  Body. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  63 

25th,  1795,  His  Excellency,  Samuel  Adams,  doing  the 
work. 

The  first  Lodge  of  Masons  (white)  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
assumed  the  prerogative  of  a Grand  Lodge  for  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1734,  and  Benjamin  Franklin  was  elected  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master.  In  1764  the  Ancient  Grand  Lodge 
of  England  chartered  a Lodge  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  It  at 
once  styled  itself  a Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Masons.  They 
contended  and  fought  for  supremacy  until  179.3,  when  the 
first  Lodge  was  discontinued.  The  irregular  Lodge  had 
full  control  and  was  very  active  in  establishing  Lodges  in 
the  Colonies.  This  is  the  governing  body  of  the  Craft 
to-day  in  Pennsylvania,  with  its  offspring  in  every  State  of 
the  Union. 

In  speaking  of  first  warrants,  we  mean  under  Grand 
Lodge  system,  all  honor  to  Massachusetts  and  St.  John 
and  African  Lodge  as  the  far-seeing  and  prudent  mothers 
of  Masonry  in  this  country.  Although  tempest  tossed  and 
threatened  with  shipwreck,  they  have  weathered  every 
storm,  standing  in  America  a pillar  of  cloud  by  day  and 
a pillar  of  fire  by  night,  that  the  Craft  might  continue 
laying  corner  stones  and  erecting  temples  of  Masonry 
upon  the  American  Continent.  Xot  only  for  Masonry  is 
Massachusetts  honored  within  its  grand  old  Commonwealth, 
where  first  rocked  the  cradle  of  liberty  in  this  Republic,  but 
her  sons  and  daughters  believe  that  man  walks  with  stalwart 
strides  beneath  the  noonday’s  sun  only  when  there  is  free- 
dom of  thought,  body  and  mind.  Her  banners  are  widest 
unfurled  where  every  citizen  is  a freeman.  In  Masonry 
Massachusetts  will  always  shine  as  a star  of  the  first  mag- 
nitude. In  American  history  it  is  a beacon  light  among 
the  States,  and  generations  yet  unborn  will  testify  anew 
their  love  for  the  grand  old  Commonwealth. 

The  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  in  America. — (1) 
The  Massachusetts  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  established 
on  the  27th  of  December,  1769,  and  descended  from  the 
Grand  Master  of  Scotland,  Ancient  Masons. 

(2)  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  on  the  30th 
of  July,  1783,  under  the  title  of  St.  John’s.  It  descended 
from  Modern  Masons  in  England. 

(3)  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  June  24tli, 


64  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

1791,  under  the  title  of  African  Grand  Lodge,  and  de- 
scended from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Moderns,  England,  by 
the  authority  of  H.  B.  EL,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  G.  M. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  1792,  Masonic  union  was  formed  by 
the  two  white  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  and  all  the  distinc- 
tion between  Ancient  and  Modern  was  abolished. 

In  the  formation  of  the  union,  African  Grand  Lodge 
was  not  invited,  although  it  was  a well  known  fact  that 
African  Grand  Lodge  had  been  regularly  established  and 
hailing  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Moderns,  England. 
There  is  positive  proof  that  Masons  from  two  Provincial 
Grand  Lodges  (white),  often  visited  African  Lodge  when 
in  session.  Had  African  Lodge  been  composed  of  any 
other  race  except  the  negro,  there  would  have  been  no  ques- 
tion. However,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  at  that  time 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  England.  Ireland  and  Scotland 
granted  charters  to  individual  Lodges  and  appointed  over 
them  Provincial  Grand  Masters  and  they  held  concurrent 
jurisdiction  as  in  Canada,  Nova  Scotia,  etc.  These 
Lodges  were  known  as  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  in  order  to 
be  distinguished  from  Lodges  acting  immediately  sub- 
ordinate to  the  mother  Grand  Lodge.  Over  their  meetings 
Provincial  Grand  Masters  presided. 

Dissensions  in  the  Craft. — In  175E  a Lodge  was  or- 
ganized in  New  York  city,  receiving  its  warrant  from  an 
English  Army  Lodge.  Shortly  afterwards  several  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodges  were  organized,  and  in  1781  Sey- 
bothen  Lodge  was  organized  by  an  Army  Lodge  in  New 
York  city,  and  afterwards  set  up  a Provincial  Grand  Lodge. 

Here  dissensions  arose  and  lasted  until  1856.  when  a 
union  of  the  grand  bodies  was  effected.  These  dissensions 
were  not  confined  to  the  State  mentioned,  but  found  their 
way  into  almost  all  the  States.  In  1818  the  same  started 
among  colored  Masons  in  Pennsylvania  and  continued 
until  the  National  Grand  Lodge  was  established  in  1817. 
This  body  was  formed  to  hold  in  check  ambitious  Masons. 
It  passed  stringent  laws  relative  to  the  same,  which  kept 
the  work  regular  until  1868,  when  the  States  commenced  to 
assume  the  American  doctrine  of  States’  rights,  and  here 
the  National  Lodges  and  the  States’  rights  made  war  on 
each  other  which  lasted  until  1877,  when  the  difference 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  65 

was  healed  in  each  State,  and  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  York  Masons  died.  (See  National  Grand  Lodge, 
000.) 

It  is  of  interest  to  American  Freemasons  to  note  that  the 
expression  “York  Rite  Masons”  has  little  or  no  basis  ; that 
it  is  in  fact,  a misnomer.  There  was,  and  is,  no  York 
Masonic  rite,  and  the  symbolic  Freemasonry  which  the 
world  knows  did  not  come  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  all 
England,  founded  at  York  in  1725,  but  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  formed  at  London  in  1717.  The  York 
Grand  Lodge  died  twenty  years  before  the  union  in  1813. 

The  ancient  City  of  York  on  the  Ouse,  is  a place  of 
marked  individuality  and  attractiveness.  It  is  notable  by 
reason  of  its  great  age  and  rich  historic  associations. 
Founded  nearly  a thousand  years  before  the  Christian 
Era,  it  has  had  an  eventful  experience  of  progress  and 
change.  Constantine  the  Great  is  believed  to  have  been 
born  here  some  sixteen  hundred  years  ago.  Christianity 
was  early  established  at  York.  It  is  claimed  that  there 
was  a general  assembly  of  the  Craft  at  this  place  in  the 
year  of  926.  However,  this  must  be  understood  to  refer 
to  operative  Masons. 

Ancient  1Y>rk  Masons.— The  expression  “Ancient 
York  Masons”  came  from  Laurence  Dermott’s  Ahiman 
Rezon  Ritual.  Pure  English  Freemasonry  consisted  of 
the  three  symbolic  degrees  including  the  Holy  Royal  Arch. 
The  expelled  and  seceders  were  composed  of  the  rival 
grand  bodies  in  England,  such  as  the  Ancient  and  York 
Rite,  that  conferred  not  only  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  but 
that  of  Ivnights  Templar  as  well  as  detached  ceremonials. 
The  white  Lodges  working  under  authority  of  the  Ancient 
York  Rite  in  America  conferred  all  the  degrees  including 
that  of  Knight  Templar. 

George  Washington  a MASON.-^-George  Washington 
became  a member  of  Fredericksburg  Lodge  before  he 
reached  his  majority,  and  that  membership  continued  until 
it  was  severed  by  death.  He  was  initiated  November  4th, 
1752  ; passed  to  a Fellow-Craft  March  3d.  1753,  and  raised 
a Master  Mason  August  4th,  1753.  He  was  an  active, 
zealous  and  true  Mason,  and  never  failed  to  honor  his 
brethren  with  his  presence  when  in  reach  of  their  assem- 


66 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


blies,  and  to  participate  with  them  in  their  privileges  and 
labors.  He  was  tendered  the  highest  and  most  respon- 
sible office  in  the  gift  of  the  Craft  in  the  State  of  Virginia, 
in  1777,  that  of  Grand  Master,  which  he  was  compelled  to 
decline  in  consequence  of  his  active  duties  in  the  field. 
Yet,  eleven  years  after,  when  peace  had  crowned  his  mili- 
tary labors,  and  his  name  and  fame  were  known  and  sung 
in  every  land,  he  became  the  Charter  Master  of  Alexandria- 
Washington  Lodge,  Ho.  22,  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  proved 
an  active  worker. 

His  whole  adult  life,  covering  a period  of  forty-seven 
years,  was  devoted  to  Masonry,  whether  as  a private  citizen 
in  his  own  home  at  Mount  Vernon,  General-in-Chief  of  the 
American  Armies  in  the  field,  or  as  President  of  the  new 
Republic,  in  his  official  chair,  he  was  always  the  friend 
and  advocate  of  Masonry. 

He  was  honored  at  home  and  abroad  and  was  deeply 
enthroned  in  the  affections  of  his  people.  During  his  last 
illness  he  was  surrounded  by  friends  and  loved  ones,  and 
the  recipient  of  every  kindness  and  comfort  that  human 
hands  could  administer  or  love  could  suggest  or  bestow. 
Among  the  last  requests  he  made  was  that  his  Masonic 
Brethren  should  inter  his  remains  with  the  beautiful  burial 
service  of  the  Fraternity.  On  the  18th  day  of  December, 
1799,  the  request  was  complied  with  by  Alexandria-Wash- 
ington  Lodge,  Ho.  22,  assisted  by  many  visitors  from 
neighboring  Lodges  and  representatives  from  Fredericks- 
burg Lodge,  Ho.  4.  The  inscription  on  their  banner  was: 
“Washington  in  Glory!  America  in  tears!'-’ 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  67 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

FIRST  LODGE  OF  FREEMASONS  AMONG  COLORED  MEN  IN 
AMERICA. — 1775. 

African  Lodge,  Ho.  459,  was  the  first  Lodge  of  Negro 
Freemasons  established  in  North  America.  Its  first  Mas- 
ter was  Prince  Hall. 

Prince  Hall’s  life  has  never  been  written,  except  in  the 
most  condensed  form,  and  then  many  of  those  who  have 
undertaken  to  set  forth  his  history  have  omitted  or  glossed 
over  the  most  important  things  connected  with  his  life.  If 
he  had  been  connected  with  any  other  race  save  that  of  the 
negro,  history  would  have  told  the  story  fearlessly*  and  met 
all  honest  criticisms  with  truth.  A human  life  H in  itself 
a divine  miracle,  filling  the  thoughtful  student  with  awe 
and  compelling  him  to  bow  in  reverence  before  that  mys- 
terious power  which,  though  inscrutable,  must  nevertheless 
be  distinctly  recognized.  Prince  Hall’s  is  a continued 
service  of  remarkable  events.  His  parentage,  liis  birth- 
place, his  country,  his  relation  to  his  time  and  his  achieve- 
ments were  marvelous,  when  we  take  in  consideration  the 
period  in  which  he  lived  and  the  condition  of  hi's  race  in 
America.  Under  most  adverse  circumstances,  he  was  suc- 
cessful in  business  affairs,  in  church  and  in  State.  Every 
life  has  its  romance,  its  mysterious  impulses  and  strange 
events ; such  was  Prince  Hall’s.  Prince  Hall,  a Mason  and 
a preacher  in  the  seventeenth  century,  made  so  by  causes 
unusually  strange,  was  lifted  to  a lofty  position  by  events 
for  which  there  is  no  reasonable  accounting  in  accordance 
with  anything  that  is  allied  to  the  law  of  nature.  In  any 
biography,  we  need  to  take  into  account  the  effects  of 
hereditary  traits,  of  the  moulding  character,  the  influence, 
the  association  and  climate,  but  therein  the  life  of  Hall 


68 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


does  not  account  for  all  the  mysterious  results  which  we 
find  in  his  life’s  work.  He  was  unusually  endowed  by  the 
power  of  God.  Why  not  tell  the  story  now,  after  the  lapse 
of  a hundred  years?  “God  still  moves  in  a mysterious  way 
His  wonders  to  perform.”  We  behold  him  preaching  to 


r 


\ 


Prince  Hall, 

First  Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  America. 

crowded  audiences  composed  for  the  most  part  of  slaves 
and  their  owners ; there  he  would  let  fly  the  arrows  of 
freedom,  and  in  this  way  carry  truth  to  the  hearts  of  the 
masses.  Armed  with  the  spirit  of  Almighty  God,  Hall 
seems  like  a giant  of  intellect  and  almost  superhuman. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  69 

We  will  begin  with  bis  life  at  his  humble  home  and  trace 
it  through  the  varying  scenes  where  it  was  touched  with 
the  modifying  circumstances  of  his  surroundings,  and  then 
be  better  able  to  ascend  to  the  position  which  he  held  when 
he  died.  It  is  a record  which  is  as  inspiring  as  it  is  won- 
derful, not  that  we  believe  him  to  be  a saint  or  angel,  for 
he  had  his  human  faults  as  other  men.  Thousands  of  our 
brethren  have  heard  of  Prince  Hall,  but  who  know  but 
little  about  the  facts  of  his  inner  life.  Could  his  story  be 
told  with  the  pen  of  a Bancroft  or  a Roosevelt,  it  would 
necessarily  take  its  place  in  the  standard  literature  of  the 
present.  But  whether  told  in  eloquent  terms  and  with 
vivid  description  or  in  a crude  and  blundering  manner,  it 
certainly  ought  to  be  told,  and  especially  to  every  Mason. 

Prince  Hall  was  born  September  12th,  1748,  at  Bridge- 
town, Barbados,  British  West  Indies.  His  father,  Thomas 
Prince  Hall,  was  an  Englishman,  and  his  mother  a free  wo- 
man of  French  descent.  His  father  was  engaged  in  the 
leather  business,  the  pursuit  of  which  does  not  seem  to  have 
been  very  lucrative.  His  parents  were  in  humble  circum- 
stances, however,  and  were  known  among  their  neighbors  as 
pious  persons  of  excellent  character,  but  were  never  con- 
sidered by  their  contemporaries  as  possessing  any  remark- 
able claim  for  the  niche  in  which  the  world  placed  its 
great  men.  When  twelve  years  old  young  Hall  was  placed 
as  an  apprentice  to  a leather  worker.  He  made  rapid 
progress  in  the  trade.  His  greatest  desire,  however,  was  to 
visit  America.  When  he  confided  this  wish  to  his  parents 
they  gave  him  no  encouragement,  but  he  was  determined 
to  seize  the  first  opportunity  offered  to  accomplish  his 
desire.  With  eager  eyes  he  watched  every  sail  that  entered 
the  harbor  in  the  hope  that  he  might  hear  the  words  “bound 
for  America.”  This  anxiety  continued  for  a long  time 
before  his  heart’s  desire  was  realized.  At  last  the  oppor- 
tunity came.  One  morning  in  February  of  1765,  young 
Prince  heard  the  glad  tidings  that  there  was  a vessel  in 
port  bound  for  America.  He  at  once  saw  the  captain  and 
offered  to  work  his  way  for  the  passage.  The  captain  hesi- 
tated, but  seeing  that  the  lad  meant  what  he  said,  he  finally 
agreed  to  take  him.  The  vessel  arrived  at  Boston,  Mass., 
in  March,  1765.  When  he  stepped  upon  the  shores  of 


70 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


New  England  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  small  in  stat- 
ure, bnt  his  slight  frame  was  surmounted  with  a shapely 
head,  adorned  with  refined  features,  bright  and  piercing 
eyes,  aquiline  nose,  mouth  and  chin  firm  and  spiritual. 
He  was  in  a strange  land  without  friends  or  education,  but 
being  determined  to  fight  his  own  way,  by  industry  and 
economy,  he  worked  steadily  during  the  day  and 
took  private  lessons  at  night.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five 
he  had  saved  a small  sum  from  his  earnings,  which  he  in- 
vested in  real  estate  and  became  a taxpayer  and  voter. 
When  twenty-seven  j^ears  old  he  had  a fair  understanding 
of  English  and  arithmetic.  He  heard  Richard  Boardman 
and  Joseph  Gilmore,  Methodist  missionaries,  preach  to 
large  crowds  on  the  Common  of  Boston  and  other  places  in 
New  England,  until  the  very  air  was  filled  with  Jesus. 
Their  preachings  attracted  Hall  and  he  became  a regular 
attendant  at  the  service,  and  finally  became  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  He  seized  every  opportunity  to 
extend  his  knowledge  of  the  Bible  and  prepare  himself  for 
the  great  'work  of  his  life,  an  ambassador  for  the  Lord 
Jesus.  He  was  widely  known  as  a genuine  Christian  and  a 
faithful  friend. 

He  joined  the  ministry  and  became  an  eloquent  preacher. 
With  the  grace  and  dignity  of  a gentleman,  he  stood  armed 
in  the  sanctuary  of  God-to  animate  and  encourage  the  Sons 
of  Liberty.  He  was  much  displeased  with  the  British 
brethren  for  killing  his  friends,  Crispus  Attucks,  Samuel 
Gray,  James  Cadwell,  Patrick  Carr  and  Samuel  Maverick, 
in  the  riot  at  Boston,  on  March  5th,  1770.  The  torrents 
of  his  invective  have  never  been  surpassed.  But,  unlike 
most  men,  Prince  Hall  delivered  his  sermons  and  rebuked 
in  their  presence  those  whose  business  it  was  to  fight.  It 
is  said  that  this  incident  carried  him  over  to  the  Patriot 
Army.  As  a minister  and  citizen  he  had  the  confidence  of 
all,  and  this  placed  him  in  the  front  rank. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1770,  the  bells  of  Boston  were  rung 
in  honor  of  the  heroes,  Crispus  Attucks,  Gray  and  Caldwell. 
Maverick’s  body  rested  in  his  brother’s  home,  Royal  Ex- 
change Lane,  and  the  others  in  Faneuil  Hall.  The  four 
hearses  formed  a junction  in  King  Street,  the  place  where 
they  fell  March  5th.  The  procession  marched  in  columns 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  71 

six  deep,  composed  of  the  most  distinguished  citizens  of 
Boston.  They  were  buried  in  Middle  Burying  Ground, 
over  which  a stone  was  placed  with  this  inscription : 

“Long1  as  in  Freedom’s  cause  the  Wise  contend, 

Dear  to  your  country,  shall  your  fame  extend; 

While  to  the  world  the  lettered  stone  shall  tell, 

Where  Caldwell,  Attucks,  Gray  and  Maverick  fell.” 

Rev.  Prince  Hall's  first  church  was  located  in  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.  He  soon  built  up  a prosperous  congregation. 
Here  he  often  preached  and  lectured  his  Lodge  of  Free- 
masons. The  sight  of  his  frilled  shirt,  long  vest  and  dress 
always  brought  contentment  and  respect  from  all.  Prince 
Hall  knew  that  the  founders  of  his  church  had  paid  for 
their  opinion  with  their  life’s  blood.  He  knew  they  were 
brave  men  who  feared  not  the  stake  or  torch.  This  knowl- 
edge, and  his  great  faith  in  God,  enabled  him  to  be  a fear- 
less and  progressive  preacher.  He  was  always  engaged  in 
the  useful  work  of  charity  and  benevolent  enterprises. 

One  of  his  favorite  hymns  was — 

“O  God,  our  help  in  ages  past, 

Our  hope  for  years  to  come, 

Our  shelter  from  the  stormy  blast, 

And  our  eternal  Home. 

Under  the  shadow  of  thy  throne 
Thy  saints  have  dwelt  secure; 

Sufficient  is  thine  arm  alone, 

And  our  defense  is  sure.” 

The  indwelling  of  the  spirit  of  God  can  only  account  for 
the  continued  success  of  this  good  man. 

Laying  the  Foundation  of  African  Lodge  of  Free- 
masons.— In  the  year  1775,  under  the  yoke  of  British 
oppression,  when  men,  women  and  even  children  were 
preparing  for  open  resistance  to  the  British  forces, 
Prince  Hall,  then  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  wended 
his  way  to  the  quarters  of  General  Gage,  on  Copp’s 
Hill,  Boston  Harbor,  Mass.  The  purpose  of  his 
visit  was  the  insatiable  desire  to  become  a Mason. 


72 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

He  feared  nothing,  not  even  in  the  enemy’s  camp, 
but  with  a firm  trust  in  God,  knocked  and  the  door 
of  Masonry  was,  opened  unto  him — thus  his  eyes  beheld  for 
the  first  time  the  form  and  beauty  of  a military  Lodge. 

In  that  traveling  British  Lodge,  Xo.  58,  before  the  first 
blood  had  flowed  upon  the  green  grass  at  Lexington,  he 
received  the  light  of  Masonry,  and  was  raised  to  the 
sublime  degree  of  Master  Mason — the  first  one  of  African 
descent  who  had  been  initiated  into  the  order  in  the  Amer- 
ican Colonies.  On  March  6th  of  the  same  year  Cyrus 
Jonbus,  Bensten  Slinger,  Thomas  Sanderson,  Prince  Tay- 
lor, Cato  Spear,  Boston  Smith,  Peter  Best,  Fortin  Howard, 
Prince  Rees,  John  Cantin,  Peter  Freeman.  Benjamin  Tiber, 
Buff  Buform  and  Richard  Lilly,  having  paid  the  required 
amount,  were  initiated,  passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime 
degree  of  Master  Masons  in  the  same  Lodge,  R.  W.  Bro.  J. 
B.  Batt,  W.  M.,  conferring  the  appointment.  These  fifteen 
brethren  were  authorized  by  the  Lodge  that  made  them,  to 
work  under  dispensation  until  they  were  authorized  by 
charter.  Prince  Hall  had  a lodge  room  prepared  in 
“Golden  Fleece,”  Water  Street,  Boston,  Mass.  On  July 
3d,  1775,  Washington  unfurled  for  the  first  time  the  na- 
tional flag  over  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  and  Prince  Hall 
on  the  same  day  organized  and  dedicated  to  God  and  to 
the  memory  of  the  holy  St.  John  the  first  Lodge  of  Colored 
Masons  in  Xorth  America.*  Here  they  met  for  several 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Kirby  Street  Temple.  Their 
■ number  was  increased  from  time  to  time  by  additions  from 
Xew  York,  Pennsylvania  and  foreign  countries.  The 
Lodge  was  often  visited  by  white  Masons  from  the  Army 
Lodge  that  made  them,  also  from  the  Lodges  around  Bos- 
ton and  from  Europe  and  the  West  Indies.  Prince  Hall 
was  not  content  with  the  limited  powers  contained  in  the 
dispensation  from  the  Army  Lodge.  He  became  ambi- 
tious and  wanted  his  Lodge  to  enjoy  the  fullest  Masonic 
rights  and  powers  of  other  Masonic  bodies  in  the  country. 
The  welfare  of  the  Craft,  its  expansion  and  its  perpe- 

*Prince  Hall's  Lodge  is  as  regular  as  any  Lodge  — Albert 
Pike.  The  Negro  can  make  as  good  a showing  as  the  51  hites 
can.  T.  S.  Parvin,  G.  S.,  G.  L.  Iowa.  Printed  proceeding, 
1S85. 


Among1  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  73 

tuity,  were  his  constant  care,  and  upon  this  he  lavished  all 
his  energies,  and  with  his  associates  petitioned  Joseph  War- 
ren for  a charter.  His  request  was  entertained,  but  be- 
fore action  could  be  taken  Joseph  Warren  fell  at  Bunker 
Hill.  He  then  applied  to  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  of 
Modem  Masons  of  Massachusetts  for  a charter.  This 
petition,  though  in  proper  form,  was  rejected  on  account 
of  color,  but  the  refusal  did  not  dishearten  this  little 
band  in  its  laudable  purpose,  but  served  as  a stimulus  to 
make  further  trial. 

True  is  the  saying  of  the  philosopher,  the  oraele  of 
ancient  wisdom,  that  if  the  minds  of  tyrants  were  laid 
open  to  our  view,  we  should  see  them  gashed  and  mangled 
with  the  whips  and  stings  of  horror  and  remorse.  By 
blows  and  stripes  the  flesh  is  made  to  quiver;  and  in  the 
like  manner,  cruelty  and  inordinate  passions,  malice  and 
evil  deeds,  become  internal  executioners,  and  with  in- 
creasing torture  goad  and  lacerate  the  heart. 

Prince  Hall  and  his  followers  decided  to  make  applica- 
tion to  foreigners  for  that  which  had  been  refused  them 
at  home,  but  just  at  this  time  came  the  terrible  -war  be- 
tween England  and  the  Colonies.  Prince  Hall  at  once 
turned  his  attention  to  matters  of  war  and  bent  all  his 
energies  to  serve  his  country  in  the  hour  of  its  peril. 

Prince  Hall  As  a Statesman. — In  1775  Prince 
Hall  made  application  to  Hancock  and  Warren,  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety,  to  enlist  the  slaves  then 
in  the  Colonies,  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  thinking 
it  would  pave  the  way  for  their  freedom.  This  was  refused. 
The  committee  framed  a formal  resolution,  which  is  truly 
one  of  the  most  significant  documents  of  the  period,  es- 
pecially when  compared  with  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. It  reads  as  follows: 

“Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  as 
the  contest  now  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies, 
respects  the  liberties  and  privileges  of  the  latter,  which  the 
Colonies  are  determined  to  maintain,  that  the  admission 
of  persons  as  soldiers  into  the  army  now  raising,  except 
such  as  are  freemen,  will  not  be  consistent  with  the  prin- 
ciples that  are  to  be  supported,  and  will  reflect  dishonor  on 


74 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


the  Colon}’.  And  that  no  slaves  he  admitted  into  the  army 
upon  any  consideration  whatever.” 

This  resolution  was  communicated  to  Congress  June 
6th,  1775,  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  (See  Se- 
cret Congressional  Journal  of.  June  6th,  1775.) 

Prince  Hall,  finding  that  he  could  not  get  recognition  of 
the  slaves  from  that  body,  headed  a committee  of  freemen, 
consisting  of  Cyrus  Jonbus.  Bensten  Slinger.  Thomas  San- 
derson, Prince  Taylor,  Boston  Smith,  Peter  Best  and 
others,  and  waited  on  General  Washington,  who  had  just 
taken  command  of  the  army  around  Boston.  July  3d,  1775, 
informing  him  that  the  colored  freemen  desired  to  do  their 
own  fighting,  and  wanted  to  enlist  in  the  army.  On  De- 
cember 30th,  1775,  General  Washington  issued  a general 
order  as  follows : 

“As  the  general  is  informed  that  numbers  of  free  negroes 
are  desirous  of  enlisting,  he  gives  leave  to  the  recruiting 
officers  to  enlist  them.  I shall  lay  the  matter  before  Con- 
gress, who,  I doubt  not,  will  approve  of  it.” 

Washington  communicated  his  action  to  Congress,  and 
his  letter  was  referred  to  a committee  of  three — Mr.  Wythe, 
Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Wilson — on  the  15th  of  January,  i776. 
and  this  committee  reported  on  the  following  day.  The 
“Congress  determined  that  the  free  negroes  who  had  served 
faithfully  in  the  army  at  Cambridge  might  be  re-enlisted 
therein,  but  no  others.”  However,  at  this  time  hundreds 
of  colored  men  had  joined  the  army,  and  remained  there, 
notwithstanding  this  action  of  Congress.* 

Prince  Hall  was  much  interested  in  the  uplifting  of  the 
people  with  whom  he  was  associated.  Intellectually  he  was 
far  superior  to  most  men  of  his  day.  He  saw  the  end  of 
the  struggle  from  the  beginning,  and  therefore  worked 

* (Colonial  History:  Graydon's  Memoirs.)  (Washington’s  Writ- 
ing, 3rd  Vol.,  p.  162).  (Return  of  Negroes  in  Washington's  immedi- 
ate'command  Aug.  24.  177S.  See  Alex.  Scammell.  Adjt.  General's 
Report.  There  were  a large  number  of  colored  soldiers,  according 
to  War  Department  Records.)  (See  New  York  Historical  Society. 
1862.  pp.  18,  19,  20,  21.)  (Acknowledgment  of  services  rendered 
may  be  found  among  the  records  of  nearly  all  the  States,  Ban- 
croft’s History  of  Revolutionary  Army.)  (Thatcher's  regt.  177S. 
Massachusetts  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  p. 
105,  Yol.  7.) 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  75 

■with  a confident  spirit,  and  this  foresight  and  God’s  provi- 
dence, developed  all  his  plans  day  by  day. 

He  entered  the  Revolutionary  Army  in  February,  1776, 
joining  Captain  Benjamin  Dillingham’s  company,  and  also 
served  in  Captain  Joshua  Welbore’s  company,  which  was 
attached  to  Ebenezer  Francis’  regiment.  In  1778  he  was 
in  Thacker’s  regiment.  When  thirty  years  old  his  name 
appears  three  times  on  the  Continental  muster  rolls. 

January  13th,  1777,*  while  still  in  the  arm}',  he  wrote 
as  follows  concerning  slaves  whose  freedom  he  sought : 

“But  they  were  unjustly  dragged  by  the  hand  of  cruel 
power  from  their  dearest  friends,  and  some  of  them  even 
torn  from  the  embrace  of  their  tender  parents.”  Speaking 
of  the  slaves  he  endeavored  to  aid,  he  said:  “They  cannot 

but  express  their  astonishment  that  it  has  never  been  con- 
sidered that  every  principle  from  which  America  has  acted, 
in  the  course  of  their  unhappy  difficulties  with  Great 
Britain,  pleads  stronger  than  a thousand  arguments  in 
favor  of  the  slaves.” 

Prince  Hall’s  name  is  mentioned  a dozen  times  in  the 
newspapers,  and  frequent  reference  is  made  to  him  in  the 
council  records,  1775-178S.  January  25th,  1788,  Dr.  Bel- 
knap writes:  “Prince  Hall  votes  constantly  for  governor 
and  representatives.”  In  letters  addressed  to  Mr.  Ebe- 
nezer Hazard  of  Yew  York,  Dr.  Belknap  wrote  on  March 
9th,  1788:  “I  now  enclose  you  the  negroes’  petition.  It  is 
Prince  Hall’s  own  composition  and  handwriting,  given  me 
by  himself.” 

This  is  one  of  the  many  petitions  sent  to  the  General 
Court  bv  Prince  Hall,  against  slavery  and  slave  trade, 
1773-1778. 

“To  the  Honorable  Council  & House  of  Representatives  for  the 
State  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  General  Court  assembled  January 
13th,  1777. 

“The  Petition  of  a great  number  of  Negroes,  who  are  detained 
in  a state  of  Slavery,  in  the  Bowels  of  a free  and  Christian 
Country — Humbly  Shewing: — 

* Massachusetts  Archives  vol.  212,  p.  132.  1777. 

(Indorsed)  March  18.  Judge  Sergeant,  Mr.  Dalton,  Mr.  Apple- 
ton,  Coll  Brooks,  Mr.  Story,  Mr.  Lowell,  & Mr.  Davis  to  con- 
sider ye  matter  at  large. 


76 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


“Thr.t  your  Petitioners  apprehend  that  they  have,  in  common 
with  all  other  Men,  a natural  & unalienable  right  to  that  free- 
dom, which  the  great  Parent  of  the  Universe  hath  bestowed 
equally  on  all  mankind,  <fc  which  they  have  never  forfeited  by 
any  compact  or  agreement  whatever.  But  they  were  unjustly 
dragged,  by  the  cruel  hand  of  Power,  from  their  dearest  friends, 
& some  of  them  even  torn  from  the  embraces  of  their  tender 
parents — From  a populous,  pleasant,  & plentiful  Country — 
& in  Violation  of  the  Laws  of  nature  & of  nations  & in  defiance 
of  all  the  tender  feelings  of  humanity,  brought  hither  to  be  sold 
like  Beasts  of  Burden,  & like  them  condemned  to  slavery  for  life. 
Among  a People  professing  the  mild  Religion  of  .Tesus.  A People 
not  insensible  of  the  sweets  of  rational  freedom — nor  without 
Spirit  to  resent  the  unjust  endeavours  of  others,  to  reduce  them  to 
a State  of  Bondage  and  subjection.  Your  Honors  need  not  to  be  in- 
formed that  a life  of  Slavery,  like  that  of  your  petitioners,  de- 
prived of  every  social  privilege,  of  everything  requisite  to  render 
Life  even  tolerable,  is  far  worse  than  Non-Existence.  In  imita- 
tion of  the  laudable  example  of  the  good  people  of  these 
States,  your  Petitioners  have  long  and  patiently  waited  the  event 
of  Petition  after  Petition,  by  them  presented  to  the  Legislative 
Body  of  this  State,  & cannot  but  with  grief  reflect  that  their 
success  has  been  but  too  similar.  They  cannot  hut  express  their 
astonishment,  that  it  has  never  been  considered,  that  every  prin- 
ciple from  which  America  has  acted  in  the  course  of  her  unhappy 
difficulties  with  Great  Britain,  pleads  stronger  than  a thousand 
arguments  in  favor  of  your  petitioners.  They  therefore  humbly 
beseech  your  Llonors,  to  give  this  Petition  its  due  weight  & con- 
sideration, & cause  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  to  be  passed, 
whereby  they  may  be  restored  to  the  enjoyment  of  that  freedom 
which  is  the  natural  right  of  all  Men — & their  Children  (who 
were  born  in  this  land  of  Liberty)  may  not  be  held  as  Slaves  after 
they  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  Years,  So  may  the  In- 
habitants of  this  State  (no  longer  chargeable  with  the  inconsis- 
tency of  acting,  themselves,  the  part  which  they  condemn  & op- 
pose in  others)  be  prospered  in  their  present  glorious  struggles 
for  Liberty;  & have  those  blessings  secured  to  them  by  Heaven, 
of  which  benevolent  minds  cannot  wish  to  deprive  their  fellow- 
Men. 

And  your  Petitioners,  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray— 


PRINCE  HALL, 


JOB  LOCK, 
his 

JACK  X PEIRPOXT, 


TETER  BESS, 


LANCASTER  HILL, 


mark 

his 


NERO  X FUNILO, 


BRISTER  SEEN  FEN, 


mark 

his 

NEWPORT  X SUMMER, 
mark 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  77 

When  he  returned  home  in  1782  from  the  war  he  decided 
to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  a warrant  for 
his  Lodge,  this  having  been  refused  him  by  the  white 
brethren  in  Massachusetts. 

On  March  2d,  1784,  he  accordingly  addressed  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  humbly  praying  for  a warrant  of  con- 
stitution. In  his  letter  to  Brother  Moody  of  London, 
England,  whom  he  empowered  to  present  his  petition,  he 
states  that  he  had  been  importuned  to  send  it  to  France, 
but  he  preferred  to  direct  it  to  the  fountain  “from  whence 
we  received  our  first  light  for  a warrant,  whom  we  hope 
will  not  deny  us,  nor  treat  us  as  beneath  the  rest  of  our  fel- 
lew-men,  though  poor,  yet  sincere  brethren  of  the  craft.” 
The  warrant  was  promptly  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  as  follows : • 


ORIGINAL  CHARTER. 

Granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  (“Moderns”)  in  the  year 

of  1784. 

“Our  right  worshipful  and  loving  brethren: 

“We,  Thomas  Howard,  under  authority  of  His  Royal  Highness, 
Frederick,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  Grand  Master  of  the  Most  An- 
cient and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Ancient 
Masons  sends  Greeting: 

“Know  ye,  that  we,  at  the  humble  petition  of  our  Right  Trusty 
and  well  beloved  brethren,  Prince  Hall,  Boston  Smith,  Thomas 
Sanderson,  and  several  other  brethren  residing  in  Boston,  New 
England,  in  North  America,  do  hereby  constitute  the  said  brethren 
into  a Regular  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  under  the 
title  or  denomination  of  the  African  Lodge,  to  be  opened  in  Boston 
aforesaid,  and  do  further  at  their  said  petition  and  of  the  great 
trust  and  confidence  reposed  in  every  one  of  the  above  named 
brethren,  hereby  appoint  the  said  Prince  Hall  to  be  Master,  Bos- 
ton Smith,  Senior  Warden  and  Thomas  Sanderson,  Junior  Warden 
for  opening  the  said  Lodge,  and  for  such  time  only  as  shall  be 
thought  by  the  brethren  thereof.  It  being  our  will  that  this  our 
appointment  of  the  above  officers,  shall  in  no  wise  effect  any  fu- 
ture election  of  officers  of  said  Lodge,  and  that  such  election  shall 
be  regulated  agreeable  to  such  By-laws  of  the  said  Lodge  as  shall 
be  consistent  with  the  Grand  Laws  of  the  Society  contained  in  the 
Book  of  Constitution.  And  we  hereby  will  and  require  of  you,  the 
said  Prince  Hall,  to  take  special  care  that  all  and  every  one  of 
the  said  brethren  are  to  have  been  regularly  made  Masons,  and 
that  they  do  observe,  perform,  and  keep  all  the  rules  and  orders 
contained  in  the  Book  of  Constitution,  and  further  that  you  do 


78 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


from  time  to  time  cause  to  be  entered  in  a book  kept  for  that  pur- 
pose an  account  of  your  proceedings  in  the  Lodge,  together  with 
all  Rules,  Orders  and  Regulations  as  shall  be  made  for  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  same.  That  in  no  wise  you  omit  in  every  year  to 
send  to  us  or  our  successors,  Grand  Masters,  or  Rowland  Holt, 
our  Deputy  Grand  Master,  for  the  time  being,  an  account  of  your 
said  proceedings,  and  copies  of  all  such  Rules,  Orders  and  Regula- 
tions as  shall  ue  made  as  aforesaid,  together  with  the  list  of  the 
members  of  the  Lodge,  and  such  sums  of  money  as  may  suit  the 
circumstances  of  the  Lodge  and  reasonably  be  expected  toward 
the  Grand  Charity. 

“Moreover  we  will  and  require  of  you  the  said  Prince  Hall,  as 
soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  to  send  an  account  in  writing  of 
what  may  be  done  by  virtue  of  these  presents.” 

Given  at  London  under  our  hand  and  seal  of  Masonry  this  29th 
day  of  September,  A.  L.  5784,  A.  D.  3 784,  by  the  Grand  Master’s 
Command. 


R.  HOLT.  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
Attest:  WILLIAM  WHITE,  Grand  Secretary. 

Warrant  Brought  Over. — In  the  year  1787,  Cap- 
tain James  Scott,  a seafaring  man,  who  married 
the  sister  of  the  celebrated  John  Hancock,  first 
.signer  of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence, 
and  who  was  personally  acquainted  with  Prince  Hall,  being 
in  London,  was  requested  by  Prince  Hall  to  bring  the 
warrant  for  African  Lodge  back  with  him.  He  at  once 
wended  his  way  to  the  office  of  Sir  William  White,  Grand 
Secretary  of  Modern  Masons,  located  in  Great  Queen 
Street,  and  called  for  the  warrant  for  the  African  Lodge 
located  in  Boston,  Mass.,  North  America.  He  received 
the  warrant  from  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  pay- 
ing the  fee,  of  which  the  following  is  the  acknowledgment : 

“Received.  28th  of  February,  17S7,  of  Captain  James  Scott,  five 
pounds,  fifteen  shillings  and  six  pence,  being  the  fee  on  the  War- 
rant of  Constitution  for  the  African  Lodge  at  Boston,  for  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

£5.  15s.  Gd.  “WILLIAM  WHITE,  Grand  Secretary.” 

Leaving  London  in  March  of  the  same  year  (1787)  for 
America  and  arriving  in  Boston  April  29th.  1787.  Captain 
Scott  delivered  the  warrant  in  person  to  Prince  Hall. 
The  news  rapidly  spread  over  the  New  England  Colonies 
and  caused  great  rejoicing  among  the  members  of  the 
Lodge.  Many  of  the  newspapers  made  favorable  mention 


SEAL 

G L.. 


Among  the  Colo  red  People  in  North  America.  79 

of  its  arrival.  Prince  Hall,  in  acknowledging  past  and 
present  favors  from  the  press,  wrote  to  the  Boston,  Mass., 
Sentinel , under  date  of  May  2d,  1787,  as  follows:* 

“African  Lodge,  Boston,  May  2,  1787.  By  Captain  Scott  from 
London  came  the  charter,  etc.,  which  his  Highness,  the  Duke  of 
Cumberland,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  have  been  graciously  pleased 
to  grant  to  African  Lodge  in  Boston.  As  the  brethren  have  a de- 
sire to  acknowledge  all  favors  shown  them,  they  in  this  public 
manner  return  particular  thanks  to  a certain  member  of  the  Fra- 
ternity who  offered  the  so  generous  reward  in  this  paper  some 
time  since  for  the  Charter  supposed  to  be  lost,  and  to  assure  him, 
though  they  doubt  of  his  friendship,  that  he  has  made  them  many 
good  friends. 

(Signed)  “PRINCE  HALL.’1 

The  officers  were  duly  installed  under  the  warrant,  May 
6th,  1787,  Princ-e  Hall  as  W.  M. ; Boston  Smith,  S.  W. ; 
and  Thomas  Sanderson.  J.  W.  The  Lodge  continued  to 
meet  socially  and  otherwise  at  their  temple,  ‘'Golden 
Fleece,”  Water  Street,  initiating,  passing  and  raising 
such  persons  as  were  found  qualified  to  receive  the  honors 
of  Freemasonry.  He  was  the  only  Mason  in  America 
who  held  a warrant  directed  to  himself  from  the  mother 
Lodge  in  England.  He  and  his  descendants  may  properly 
claim  royal  blood  in  the  great  Masonic  family,  and  he 
may  be  classed  with  Thomas  Webb  and  others  as  a Masonic 
writer. 

African  Lodge  celebrated  the  arrival  of  its  warrant  from 
England  on  the  27th  day  of  December  following  with  great 
pomp  and  splendor,  and  all  of  the  newspapers  made  formal 
mention  of  the  celebration.  One  of  the  papers  committed 
an  error  by  calling  the  Lodge  “The  Saint  Black  Lodge” 
instead  of  “African  Lodge.”  Prince  Hall,  after  reading 
the  article,  replied  as  follows: 

“Messrs.  Draper  & Folsom, 

“Dear  Sir:  I notice  a paragraph  in  your  paper  of  the  31st 

of  our  celebration  on  the  27th,  in  which  you  style  us,  ‘The  St. 
Black  Lodge.’  Believing  that  you  intended  to  give  a fair  and  ean- 

*Seutinel.  Boston,  Mass.,  of  May  2.  1787.  and  other  Colonial 
papers.  Proceedings  (White)  G.  L..  Ohio,  1876,  p.  113  and  18S3, 
p.  102;  Colored  Freemasonry  had  a legitimate  beginning.  Free- 
masonry Mag.  C.  M.  Moore,  Nov.  1859  v.  19 ; Belknap  papers, 
Li  by,  of  Cong.  Printed  Records  of  G.  L.  of  Eng.,  1784. 


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Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


did  statement  of  the  facts,  I take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  that 
our  title  is  not  Saint  Black  Lodge,  but  ‘African  Lodge,’  nor  do 
we  aspire  after  any  high  title,  but  desire  only  that  the  supreme 
Architect  of  the  Universe  may  diffuse  in  our  hearts  the  true  spirit 
of  Masonry,  love  to  God  and  to  our  fellowmen.  which  we  humbly 
conceive  to  be  the  grand  pillar  of  Ancient  Freemasonry.  With 
due  respect  to  the  publishers,  I beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself, 

“Your  obedient  servant,  PRINCE  HALL,  W.  M.” 

His  chief  aim  in  securing  Warrant  Ho.  459  was  to  bind 
a little  band  of  colored  men  in  a community  of  interest. 
It  was  a difficult  task.  The  Revolutionary  War  bad  just 
closed.  Both  society  and  government  were  in  a crude  and 
unsettled  condition.  He  bad  heard  the  clanking  chains 
of  his  brothers  in  bondage  ; he  had  seen  them  sold  in  the 
streets  of  Boston ; every  paper  he  read  for  years  contained 
advertisements  of  slaves  to  be  sold.  Himself  a soldier  in 
the  war  for  independence,  in  17S3  he  heard  the  brave  Col. 
Alexander  Hamilton  as  a lawyer  declare  that,  “by  the 
law  of  the  State  in  which  slavery  was  allowed,  negroes  were 
personal  property.”  May  6th,  1783,  he  read  General 
Washington’s  letter  to  Sir  Guy  Carlton,  the  British  Gov- 
ernor at  Hew  York : “Prevent  the  future  carrying  away  of 

any  negroes,  or  other  property  of  the  American  inhab- 
itants.” In  the  treaty  of  Paris  he  read  the  national  dis- 
grace that  negroes  were  rated  with  horses  and  hogs. 


“God  of  Israel  in  our  anguish, 

Where  our  Fathers  once  were  free: 

Though  in  heathen  bonds  we  languish, 

Still  our  hope  is  fixed  on  thee. 

Unveil  thy  brow,  incline  thine  ear, 

To  thy  suffering  people's  prayer: 

Be  thou  their  shield,  thy  strength  their  spear. 
In  their  peril  be  thou  there.” 


See  English  correspondence  and  minutes  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
London,  Eng.,  17S4  to  1807.  (As  to  its  regular  meetings,  see 
Lodge  Books  from  1775  to  1790  and  for  further  evidence  of  the 
fact,  see  Mass.  Register  from  1793  to  1S269  (Lewis  Hayden.  G. 
M.,  Dec.  27,  1865,  p.  25.  Cast  Among  Masons.)  MSS.  of  r.  G. 
M.  Richard  H.  Gleaves,  1844;  Hist.  Soc.,  v.  4.  1795.  (Dr.  Bel- 
knap knew  Prince  Hall  personally.  Albert  Pike  in  a letter  to 
John  D.  Caldwell,  in  1875  says:  “Prince  Hall  was  a Prov.  Grand 
Master  de  Jure.”) 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  81 

He  doubtless  laughed  at  the  folly  of  those  who  think  that 
they  are  able  by  an  arbitrary  act  to  extinguish  the  light  of 
truth  and  prevent  it  reaching  posterity.  For  liberty  and 
freedom  triumph  under  oppression.  Tyrants  and  all 
who  adopt  the  barbarous  policy  of  slavery  have  done 
nothing  but  record  their  own  disgrace.  St.  Matthew. 
24 : 35 : “Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  my 

words  shall  not  pass  away.” 

Prince  Hall  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Governor  J ames 
Bowdoin  in  the  interest  of  his  Lodge,  and  offering  its  serv- 
ices to  the  Commonwealth : 

To  His  Excellency,  James  Bowdcin. 

We,  by  the  Providence  of  God,  are  members  of  a fraternity  that 
not  only  enjoins  upon  us  to  be  peaceable  subjects  to  the  civil 
powers  where  we  reside,  but  it  also  forbids  our  having  concern 
iu  any  plot  or  conspiracies  against  the  state  where  we  dwell; 
and  as  it  is  the  unhappy  lot  of  this  state  at  the  present  date,  and 
as  the  meanest  of  its  members  must  feel  that  want  of  a lawful 
and  good  government,  and  as  we  have  been  protected  for  many 
years  under  this  once  happy  Constitution,  so  we  hope,  by  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  we  may  long  enjoy  that  blessing;  therefore,  we,  though 
unworthy  members  of  this  Commonwealth,  are  willing  to  help  and 
support,  as  far  as  our  weak  and  feeble  abilities  may  become  neces- 
sary in  t^is  time  of  trouble  and  confusion,  as  you  in  your  wis- 
dom shall  direct  us.  That  we  may,  under  just  and  lawful  author- 
ity, live  peaceable  lives  in  all  godliness  and  honesty,  is  the  hearty 
wish  of  your  humble  servants,  the  members  of  the  African  Lodge; 
and  in  their  names  I subscribe  myself  your  most  humble  servant. 

(Signed)  PRINCE  HALL. 

Boston,  November  26,  1786. 

Two  years  later  a member  of  his  Lodge  and  other  free- 
men of  New  England  were  carried  off  on  a ship  to  be  sold 
into  slavery.  He  at  once  petitioned  the  House  and  Senate, 
as  follows : 

To  the  Honorable,  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  in  General  Court  assem- 
bled, on  the  27th  February,  1788; 

The  Petition  of  a great  number  of  Blacks,  freemen  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, humbly  showeth: 

That  your  petitioners  are  justly  alarmed  at  the  inhuman  and 
cruel  treatment  that  three  of  our  brethren,  free  citizens  of  the 
towu  of  Boston,  lately  received.  The  Captain,  under  pretense 
that  his  vessel  was  in  distress  on  an  Island  below  in  this  harbor, 
having  got  them  on  board,  put  them  in  irons,  and  carried  them  off 


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from  their  wives  and  children,  to  be  sold  for  slaves.  This  being 
the  unhappy  state  of  these  poor  men,  what  can  your  petitioners 
expect  but  to  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  by  the  same  sort 
of  men?  What  then  are  our  lives  and  liberties  worth,  if  they  may 
be  taken  away  in  such  a cruel  and  unjust  manner  as  this?  May 
it  please  your  Honors,  we  are  not  insensible  that  the  good  laws 
of  this  State  forbid  all  such  bad  actions;  notwithstanding  we  can 
assure  your  Honors,  that  many  of  our  free  Blacks  that  have  en- 
tered on  board  of  vessels  as  seamen,  have  been  sold  as  slaves,  and 
some  of  them  we  have  heard  from,  but  know  not  who  carried  them 
away.  Hence  it  is,  that  many  of  us,  who  are  good  seamen,  are 
obliged  to  stay  at  home  through  fear,  and  one-half  of  our  time 
loiter  about  the  streets,  for  want  of  employ;  whereas,  if  they  were 
protected  in  that  lawful  calling,  they  might  get  a handsome  liveli- 
hood for  themselves  and  theirs,  which  in  the  situation  they  are 
now  in,  they  cannot.  One  thing  more  we  would  beg  leave  to  hint, 
that  is,  that  your  petitioners  have  for  some  time  past,  beheld  with 
grief,  ships  cleared  out  of  this  harbor  for  Africa,  and  they  either 
steal  our  brothers  and  sisters,  fill  their  ship-holds  full  of  unhappy 
men  and  women,  crowded  together,  then  set  out  for  the  best 
market  to  sell  them  there,  like  sheep  for  slaughter,  and  then  re- 
turn here  like  honest  men,  after  having  sported  with  the  lives  and 
liberty  of  their  fellow-men,  and  at  the  same  time  call  themselves 
Christians.  Blush,  O Heavens,  at  this!  These,  our  weighty 
grievances,  we  cheerfully  submit  to  your  Honors,  without  dictat- 
ing in  the  least,  knowing  by  experience  that  your  Honors  have, 
and  we  trust  ever  will,  in  your  wisdom,  do  us  that  justice  that 
our  present  condition  requires,  as  God  and  the  good  laws  of  this 
Commonwealth  shall  dictate  to  you. 

As  in  duty  bound,  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray. 


The  House  and  Senate,  together  with  the  Governor,  took 
proper  steps  to  have  the  captives  returned  to  Boston, 

Note:  The  above  is  a copy  of  a petition  presented  to  the  Gene- 
ral Court  of  Mass.,  Feb.  27,  1788,  taken  from  the  original  hand- 
writing of  the  signers.  See  Official  Record  Mass.,  Senate  & 
House  of  Rep..  Jan.  13,  1777— Feb.  27,  1778. 


(Signed)  PRINCE  HALL. 


Primus  Hall, 
Britton  Balch, 
Cyrus  Forbes, 
Thomas  Sanderson, 
Lancaster  Hill, 
Cato  Underwood, 
Sharpea  Gardner, 
Juba  Hill, 

Richard  Pollars, 
William  Smith, 
James  Ball, 


John  Cooper, 
Joseph  Hic-ks, 
James  Hicks, 
George  Miller, 
James  Hooker, 
Mathew  Cox, 
Cato  Gray, 


Robert  Jackson, 
John  King, 


Boston  Bullard, 
John  Matlock. 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  83 

which  was  accomplished  early  in  the  spring  of  1788. 
Among  the  numerous  letters  written  about  the  affair  the 
following  may  be  found  in  the  records  of  Portland  Lodge, 
No.  1,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  of  the  State  of  Maine.  A gentleman  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  writing  to  the  Lodge,  says : 

“I  have  one  good  piece  of  news  to  tell  you.  The  negroes  who 
were  kidnapped  from  here  last  winter  have  returned.  They  were 
carried  to  St.  Bartholomew’s,  and  offered  for  sale.  One  of  them 
was  a sensible  fellow  and  a Freemason.  The  merchant  to  whom 
they  were  offered  was  of  this  fraternity.  They  soon  became  ac- 
quainted. The  negro  told  his  story.  They  were  carried  before 
the  Governor,  with  the  shipmaster  and  the  supercargo.  The  story 
of  the  negroes  was,  that  they  were  decoyed  on  board,  under  pre- 
tense of  working.  The  story  of  the  others  was,  that  they  were 
purchased  out  of  jail,  where  they  were  confined  for  robbery.  The 
Governor  detained  them.  They  were  kept  within  limits,  in 
which  a gentleman  of  the  Island  was  bondsman  for  them  for  six 
months,  in  which  time  they  sent  for  proofs,  which  arriving,  they 
were  liberated. 

“The  morning  after  their  arrival  here,  they  made  me  a visit, 
being  introduced  by  Prince  Hall,  who  is  one  of  the  head  men  of 
the  blacks  in  this  town.  The  interview  was  very  affecting. 
‘There’  (said  Prince),  ‘is  the  gentleman  that  was  so  much  your 
friend,  and  petitioned  against  the  slave-trade.’  They  joined  in 
thanking  me;  and  really,  my  dear  sir,  I felt,  and  do  still  feel,  from 
this  circumstance,  a pleasure  which  is  a rich  compensation  for  all 
the  curses  of  the  whole  tribe  of  African  traders,  aided  by  the  dis- 
tillers, which  have  been  liberally  bestowed  on  the  clergy  of  this 
town  for  their  agency  in  the  above  petition.” 

Boston,  April  18,  1788. 

Prince  Hall  married,  after  the  war,  Miss  Phoebe  Baker, 
a bright  and  intelligent  girl.  They  resided  in  one  of  Prince 
Hall’s  houses,  located  on  Phillip  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 
Their  home  was  the  meeting  place  for  the  great  leaders  of 
his  day.  Nearly  all  of  his  state  papers  to  the  Colonial 
Congress  were  drawn  up  in  this  house.  There  was  no  man 
in  Massachusetts  more  respected  than  Prince  Hall,  says 
L).  T.  Y.  Huntoon. 

As  to  Primus  Hall  being  the  son  of  Prince  Hall,  this  is  not 
true,  because  he  was  as  old  as  Prince  Hall.  When  fie  signed 
the  petition  Feb.  27,  1799,  he  was  then  fifty-nine  years  old  and 
as  further  proof,  Prince  Hall  was  not  married  until  1781. 


84 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  IX. 

'ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  FIRST  GRAND  LODGE  IN  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS. 

On  June  24th,  1791,  a general  assembly  of  the  Craft 
was  held  at  Masonic  Hall,  Golden  Fleece,  Water  Street, 
Boston,  Mass.,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand 
Lodge  of  Masons  for  Massachusetts,  etc.  African  Lodge, 
No.  459,  declared  itself  by  the  assumption  of  powers,  duties 
and  responsibilities  of  a Grand  Lodge,  independent  and 
sovereign,  holding  jurisdiction  absolute  and  entire, 
throughout  the  United  States,  and  a provincial  jurisdiction 
in  other  states  and  countries,  recognizing  at  the  same  time 
the  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  England.  The  fol- 
lowing grand  officers  were  elected : 

Prince  Hall,  M.  W.  G.  M. 

Nero  Prince,  R.  W.  D.  G.  M. 

Cyrus  Forbs,  R.  W.  S.  G.  W. 

George  Middleton,  R.  W.  J.  G.  W. 

Prince  Taylor,  R.  W.  G.  Secretary. 

Peter  Best,  R.  W.  G.  Treasurer. 

The  Grand  Master  appointed  the  following  officers  for 
the  Masonic  year : 

Peter  Freeman,  Grand  Chaplain. 

Fortin  Howard,  Senior  Grand  Deacon. 

Richard  Lilly,  Junior  Grand  Deacon. 

Boston  Smith,  Senior  Grand  Steward. 

Cato  Spear,  Junior  Grand  Steward. 

Thomas  Sanderson,  Grand  Marshal. 

John  Cantine,  Grand  Pursuivant. 

Benjamin  Tiber,  Grand  Standard  Bearer. 

Lancaster  Hill,  Grand  Sword  Bearer, 

Prince  Rees,  Grand  Tiler. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  85 

The  grand  officers  were  installed  in  ample  form  by  G.  M. 
Prince  Hall,  assisted  by  brethren  from  St.  Andrew's  Lodge 
(white) . 

“The  Grand  Lodge,  properly  organized,  enters  i;pon  the 
discharge  of  Masonic  duties,  trusting  that  prejudices  of 
color  and  slavery  will  soon  be  no  more,  and  like  the  mother 
Lodge  of  England  will  worship  the  Supreme  Architect  of 
the  universe  at  one  altar,  knowing  no  clime,  color  or  creed.” 
Thus  the  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass.,  without 
interruption,  exercised  all  the  plenary  powers  of  a Grand 
Lodge,  held  regular  and  special  meetings  at  their  Temple, 
“Golden  Fleece,”  Water  Street,  removed  many  years  after 
to  Kirby  Street  Temple,  and  finally  fitted  up  a splendid 
Temple  on  Congress  Street,  where  they  regularly  met, 
elected  and  installed  its  grand  officers,  kept  a record  of  its 
doings,  granted  warrants  for  new  lodges,  erected  and  erased 
lodges,  compelled  and  received  the  allegiance  of  its  sub- 
ordinates and  their  members,  kept  in  regular  correspond- 
ence with  the  mother  Grand1  Lodge  of  England  and  other 
Masonic  Grand  Lodges. 

Following  is  the  Masonic  authority  of  Prince  Hall  for 
serving  as  Provincial  Grand  Master: 

COPY  OF  DEPUTATION  TO  PRINCE  HALL. 

H.  R.  H.,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  (L.  S.)  G.  M., 

To  all  and  every  our  Right  Worshipful  and  Loving 
Brother  now  residing  or  who  may  hereafter  reside  in  New 
England  or  North  America,  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  Grand  Master  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
of  England: 

Send  Greeting: 

Whereas  application  has  been  made  unto  us  by  our  Right 
Worshipful  and  well  beloved  Brother  Prince  Hall,  in  be- 
half of  himself  and  several  other  Brethren  now  residing  in 
New  England  aforesaid  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  that 
we  would  be  pleased  to  nominate  and  appoint  a Provincial 
Grand  Master  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  North 
America,  aforesaid.  Now  Know  Ye  that  we  have  nomi- 
nated. ordained,  constituted  and  appointed  and  by  these 
presents  nominate,  ordain,  constitute  and  appoint  our  said 


86 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


worshipful  and  well  beloved  Brother  Prince  Hall,  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  of  North  America  and  Dominions 
and  Territories  thereunto  belonging  with  full  power  and 
authority  to  nominate  and  appoint  his  Deputy  Grand 
Master  and  Grand  Wardens.  And,  we  do  also  hereby  im- 
power  our  said  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  the  time  being 
for  us  and  in  our  place  and  stead  to  constitute  the  Breth- 
ren (Free  and  Accepted  Masons)  now  residing  or  who  shall 
hereafter  reside  in  those  parts  into  one  or  more  regular 
Lodge  or  Lodges,  as  he  shall  think  fit,  and  as  often  as  oc- 
casion shall  require,  lie  the  said  Prince  Hall,  taking 
especial  care  that  all  and  every  Member  of  any  Lodge  or 
Lodges  so  to  be  constituted  have  been  or  shall  be  made 
Regular  Masons,  and  that  they  do  cause  all  and  everv  the 
Regulations  Contained  in  the  Printed  Book  of  Constitu- 
tions (except  so  far  as  they  have  been  altered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  at  their  Quarterly  Meetings)  to  be  kept  and  observed 
and  also  all  such  other  Rules  and  instructions  as  shall 
from  time  to  time  he  transmitted  to  him  or  them  by  us  or  by 
Peter  Parker,  Esq. : our  Deputy  Grand  Master  or  the  Grand 
Master  or  his  Deputy  for  the  time  being,  and  that  He  the 
said  Prince  Hall,  or  his  Deputy  do  send  to  us  or  our  Deputy 
Grand  Master  and  to  the  Grand  Master  of  England  or  his 
Deputy  for  the  time  being  annually,  an  account  in  writing 
of  the  number  of  Lodges  so  Constituted  with  the  names  of 
the  several  members  of  each  particular  Lodges  together 
with  such  other  matters  and  things  as  he  they  shall  think 
tit  to  communicate  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Craft.  And 
Lastly  we  will  Require  that  our  said  Provincial  Grand  Mas- 
ter for  the  time  being  his  Deputy,  do  annually  cause  the 
brethren  to  keep  the  feast  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  and 
dine  together  on  that  day,  or  (in  case  any  accident  shall 
happen  to  prevent  their  dining  together  on  that  day),  on 
any  other  day  near  that  time  as  the  Provincial  Grand 
Master  for  the  time  being  shall  judge  most  fit,  as  is  done 
here,  and  that  at  all  Quarterly  Communication,  he  do 
recommend  a General  Charity  to  be  established  for  the 
Relief  of  poor  Brethren  of  the  said  Province. 

Given  under  our  Hand  and  Seal  of  Office  at  London  the 
27th  day  of  January,  1791  and  of  Masonry  5791. 

By  the  Grand  Master's  Command 
Rawdom,  Acting  G.  M. 


Among:  file  Colo-red  People  in  North  America.  87 

The  preceding  document  was  found  among  the  old  manu- 
scripts of  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Peter  Richmond,  its  first  secretary.  There  is  no  doubt  but 
what  Prince  Hall  gave  them  a copy  of  his  authority  when 
he  established  the  Lodge  in  1797. 

It  is  very  likely  that  Prince  Hall  was  appointed  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  by  Lord  Rawdon,  although  the  rec- 
ords of  the  English  do  not  show  this  to  be  a fact.  There 
is  positive  proof,  however,  that  he  performed  the  duties 
of  Grand  Master  and  was  recognized  as  such  by  both  white 
and  colored  Masons  of  his  time. 

As  to  the  genuineness  of  Prince  Hall’s  patent,  Rev.  Dr. 
Belknap,  the  historian,  in  writing  in  1795  to  Judge 
Tucker,  professor  in  the  University  of  Virginia,  said  : 

“Prince  Hall,  a very  intelligent  black  man,  aged  fifty-seven 
years,  I must  inform  you  that  he  is  a Grand  Master  of  a Lodge  of 
Masons  composed  wholly  of  blacks  and  distinguished  by  the  name 
of  African  Lodge.  It  was  begun  in  1775,  while  this  town  was 
garrisoned  by  British  troops,  some  of  whom  held  a Lodge  and  in- 
itiated a number  of  negroes.  The  Lodge  at  present  consists  of 
thirty  persons,  and  care  is  taken  that  none  but  those  of  good 
moral  character  are  admitted.’’ 

Prince  Hall  admits  this  fact  in  his  correspondence  with 
the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  in 
reporting  the  condition  of  the  Craft  in  America,  and  sign- 
ing himself  Grand  Master  to  certain  certificates  furnished 
Master  Masons  of  African  Lodge,  February  16th,  1792,  and 
the  certificates  being  accepted  and  acknowledged  in  Europe, 
and  as  a further  evidence  he  issued  no  dispensations  to 
other  Lodges  until  after  he  was  elevated  to  the  position  of 
Grand  Master. 

R.  W.  Bro.  Henry  Sadler,  Sub-Librarian  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  informs  me  under  date  of  May  26th, 
1902,  that  there  is  no  record  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
above  appointment.  However,  the  records  of  old  Lodges 
and  manuscripts  point  to  the  existence  of  a document  bear- 
ing the  above  description.  Ex-Governor  R.  H.  Gleaves, 
the  best  informed  Mason  of  the  nineteenth  centuury,  says : 
“There  is  no  doubt  of  it.”  In  Philadelphia,  where  the 
early  records  of  the  Craft  were  kept,  many  were  destroyed 


88 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


by  fire.  Those  records  showed  a perfect  history  of  African 
Lodge  of  Philadelphia,  and  a copy  of  all  official  documents 
sent  to  England. 

Prince  Hall  was  also  much  concerned  as  to  the  educa- 
tion of  the  children  of  his  race  in  America.  On  June 
25th,  1792,  in  an  address  to  the  brethren  he  says:  “Let 

us  lay  by  our  recreations  and  all  superfluities  so  that  we 
may  have  that  money  to  educate  our  rising  generations 
which  was  spent  in  those  follies.  Make  you  this  beginning 
and  who  knows  but  God  may  raise  up  some  friends  or  body 
of  friends,  as  He  did  in  Philadelphia,  to  open  a school 
for  the  blacks  here,  as  that  friendly  city  has  done  there  ?” 

This  advice  was  not  intended  for  Xew  England  only, 
but  for  the  race  in  America.  He  desired  that  they  should 
inculcate  those  virtuous  habits  and  economy.  For  he 
knew  that  virtue,  temperance,  charity,  education,  justice, 
honor  and  truth  were  necessary  to  make  good  citizens, 
which  is  the  glory  of  any  community.  Prince  Hall's  fore- 
sight led  him  to  believe  that  his  race  in  Xorth  America, 
through  the  providence  of  God,  would  live  as  one  people, 
free  and  untrammeled  as  to  education  and  rights  of  cit- 
izenship. He  lived  to  see  the  doors  of  schoolhouses  opened 
to  colored  people  in  1796,  in  Massachusetts. 

After  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  follow- 
ing letter  was  received  from  England,  addressed  to  Prince 
Hall: 

“London,  August  20.  1792. 

“M.  W.  Bro.,  Prince  Hall, 

“I  have  the  pleasure  of  sending  enclosed  the  printed  proceed- 
ings of  the  G.  L.,  by  which  you  will  perceive  the  flourishing  state 
of  our  Society,  and  in  the  account  of  the  24th  of  November,  1787. 
you  will  find  credited  your  donation  to  the  charity  fund,  ten  dol- 
lars sent  by  Capt.  Scott,  and  that  of  the  18th  of  April  last,  your 
donation  of  one  guinea.  I am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  ser- 
mon you  sent  me,  which  I think  very  well  written,  and  very  ap- 
propriate. When  you  next  write  to  me  I should  be  obliged  to 
you  if  you  would  let  me  know  if  the  Lodges  in  the  enclosed  list, 
which  are  constituted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  are  yet  in 
being,  as  we  have  never  heard  from  them  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  last  war  in  America,  or  indeed  long  before:  and  in 
case  they  have  ceased  to  meet,  which  I rather  apprehend,  they 
ought  to  be  erased  from  our  list  of  Lodges.  I am  much  obliged 
to  you  for  the  account  you  give  respecting  your  own  Lodge  to 
which  I sincerely  wish  success,  as  I should  be  happy  to  have  it  in 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  89 

my  power  to  contribute  thereto.  Enclosed  I send  you  one  of  the 
calendars  for  the  present  year,  of  which  I beg  your  acceptance. 

“I  remain  with  fraternal  regard, 

“Right  Worshipful  Brother, 

“Your  obedient  servant  and  brother, 

(Signed)  “WM.  WHITE.  G.  S.” 

G-.  M.  Prince  Hall  submitted  the  following  report  after 
visiting  Lodges  composed  of  white  brethren : 

“WM.  WHITE, 

“R.  W.,  Grand  Secretary, 

“London.  Freemasons  St. 

“Worshipful  Brother: — 

“I  received  yours  of  the  20th  of  August,  last,  together  with  the 
printed  accounts  of  the  state  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  am  happy 
to  see  the  flourishing  state  of  the  Society,  and  I am  very  sorry  to 
see  so  many  Lodges  whose  behavior  has  been  such  as  to  put  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  so  disagreeable  a task  as  to  erase  them  from  so 
honorable  a society.  I have  made  inquiry  about  the  Lodges  you 
wrote  to  me  about.  The  Lodge  No.  42  which  used  to  meet  at  the 
Royal  Exchange,  and  kept  at  Assembly  House,  at  the  head  of 
Orange  Free  Lane,  has  kept  a regular  Lodge,  and  was  joined  last 
year  by  one  or  two  more  Lodges.  Their  present  Grand  Master  is 
John  Cutler,  chosen  last  year,  and  walked  to  Trinity  Church  where 
a sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Walter,  D.  D.,  June  25th.  The 
Lodge  No.  88  hath  joined  the  above  Lodges  ever  since  the  death 
of  their  Grand  Master  Henry  Price,  Esq.,  for  he  is  long  since 
dead,  a worthy  mason.  As  for  the  Marblehead  Lodge  No.  91,  I 
cannot  give  any  information  of  it,  whether  it  keeps  or  not,  but  I 
believe  they  don‘t,  for  if  they  did  I should  have  heard  from  her. 
As  for  the  Lodge  No.  93,  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  I hear  they  keep 
a regular  Lodge  and  I have  reason  to  believe  it.  The  Lodge  No. 
142  do  keep  the  same  as  some  of  them  hath  visited  our  Lodges. 
I heard  it  from  their  own  mouths.  I am  happy  that  you  approve 
of  the  sermon.  I have  sent  you  a charge  I delivered  at  Charles- 
town on  the  24th  of  June  last.  I have  sent  one  to  your  Royal 
Grand  Master,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales,  and 
another  to  his  Deputy,  and  three  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
I hope  will  meet  your  approval. 

Sept.  5th,  1792.  (Signed)  “Prince  Hall,  G.  M.” 

LODGES  REFEREED  TO.  ' 

St.  John’s,  39, 1733. 

Lodge  Ho.  2,  in  Boston,  was  the  second,  constituted 
February  15th,  1749. 


* Proceedings  of  G.  L.,  of  England,  1792. 


90 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Lodge  No.  93,  in  New  Haven,  was  the  third,  constituted 
November,  1750. 

Lodge  No.  142,  Providence,  E.  I.,  was  the  fourth,  con- 
stituted January  18th,  1757. 

Lodge  No.  9i,  Marblehead,  March  25th,  1760. 

Opening  of  a Lodge  of  Masons  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. — In  1797  Prince  Hall  received  a petition  from 
Eev.  Peter  Mantore,  Eev.  Absalom  Jones,  William 
Harding,  Peter  Richmond,  Eic-hard  Parker.  Thomas 
Depee,  Prince  Clover  and  others,  they  being  regu- 
larly initiated,  passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime  de- 
gree of  Master  Masons  in  True  Blue  Lodge,  St.  John’s 
Lodge  and  Gordon  Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  England,  to  open 
and  conduct  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  He  granted  the  request,  at  the  same  time 
informing  them  that  the  officers  would  be  installed  and 
duly  warranted  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  officers  were  installed  by  Prince  Hall  September 
22d,  1797,  under  the  title  of  African  Lodge,  No.  459. 
F.  A.  A.  M.  of  North  America,  located  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

On  June  10th,  of  the  same  year.  Prince  Hall  issued  a 
dispensation  to  open  a Lodge  in  Providence,  R.  I. 

African  Lodge,  No.  459,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  the 
first  Lodge  chartered  by  African  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
1797,  and  the  second  at  Providence,  R.  I.  Union  Lodge, 
No.  3,  and  Laurel  Lodge,  No.  4,  of  Pennsylvania,  were 
organized  shortly  afterwards.  These  Lodges  remained 
subordinate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  until 
December  27th,  1815.  A general  assembly  of  the  Craft 
in  Pennsylvania  met  on  the  above  date  and  organized  a 
Grand  Lodge  under  the  title  of  African  Grand  Lodge.  No. 
1,  of  North  America.  This  grand  body  held  supreme 
jurisdiction  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  South, 
including  the  District  of  Columbia,  until  1833.  when 
-some  expelled  Masons  erected  a Lodge  under  the  title  of 
Hiram  Independent  Grand  Lodge.  On  June  24th.  1847, 
the  mother  Grand  Lodge  found  a way  to  get  rid  of  this 
illegitimate  body  by  establishing  a National  Grand  Lodge. 
(See  National  Grand  Lodge.) 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  9\ 

The  Lodges  in  Rhode  Island  remained  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts  until  October  5th,  1856,  when  they 
organized  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  under  the  title 
of  Most  Worshipful  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M. 

Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  has  been,  and  is,  in  corre- 
spondence with  other  Grand  Lodges  of  the  world  from  its 
organization  to  the  present  time,  and  has  completed  one 
hundred  years  of  its  history  without  successful  opposition 
to  its  claim  of  sovereignty  or  seniority,  being  the  first 
regularly  constituted  Grand  Lodge  in  America,  white  or 
black,  which  had  no  rival.  It  has  gathered  to  itself  every 
opposing  element  found  within  the  borders  of  its  juris- 
diction, exercising  the  power  which  the  first  Grand  Lodge 
was  careful  to  recognize,  to  wit : “Every  Grand  Lodge  has 

an  inherent  power  and  authority  to  make  new  regulations 
or  to  alter  these  for  the  real  benefit  of  this  ancient  Fra- 
ternity, provided  always  that  the  old  landmarks  be  care- 
fully preserved.” 

Sermon. — Grand  Master  Prince  Hall  delivered  the  fol- 
lowing sermon,  June  25th,  1797,  at  Menotony  (now  West 
Cambridge),  Mass.,  to  African  Lodge,  Ho.  459,  F.  A.  A. 
M’s. : 

“Beloved  Brethren: 

“It  is  now  five  years  since  I delivered  a charge  to  you  on 
some  parts  and  points  of  Masonry.  As  one  branch  or 
superstructure  of  the  foundation,  I endeavored  to  show  you 
the  duty  of  a Mason  to  a Mason,  and  of  charity  and  love 
to  all  mankind,  as  the  work  and  image  of  the  great  God 
and  the  Father  of  the  human  race.  I shall  now  attempt 
to  show  you  that  it  is  our  duty  to  sympathize  with  our 
fellow-men  under  their  troubles  and  with  the  families  of 
our  brethren  who  are  gone,  we  hope  to  the  Grand'  Lodge 
above. 

“We  are  to  have  sympathy,”  said  he,  “but  this,  after  all, 
is  not  to  be  confined  to  parties  or  colors,  nor  to  towns,  or 
States,  nor  to  a kingdom,  but  to  the  kingdoms  of  the  whole 
earth,  over  whom  Christ  the  King  is  head  and  Grand  Mas- 
ter for  all  in  distress.  Let  us  see  our  friends  and'  brethren ; 
and  first  let  us  see  them  dragged  from  their  native  country 
by  the  iron  hand  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  from  their 


92  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

clear  friends  and  connections  with  weeping  eyes  and  aching 
hearts,  to  a strange  land,  and  among  a strange  people, 
whose  tender  mercies  are  cruel,  and  there  to  bear  the  iron 
yoke  of  slavery  and  cruelty,  till  death,  as  a friend,  shall  re- 
lieve them.  And  must  not  the  unhappy  condition  of  these, 
our  fellow-men,  draw  forth  our  hearty  prayers  and  wishes 
for  their  deliverance  from  those  merchants  and  traders 
whose  characters  you  have  described  in  Bevelation  28  :11- 
13  ? And  who  knows  but  these  same  sorts  of  traders  may, 
in  a short  time,  in  like  manner  bewail  the  loss  of  the 
African  traffic,  to  their  shame  and  confusion?  The  day 
dawns  now  in  some  of  the  West  India  Islands.  God  can 
and  will  change  their  condition  and  their  hearts,  too,  and 
let  Boston  and  the  world  know  that  He  has  no  respect  of 
persons,  and  that  the  bulwark  of  envy,  pride,  scorn  and  con- 
tempt, which  is  so  visible  in  some,  shall  fall. 

“Jethro,  an  Ethiopian,  gave  instructions  to  his  son-in- 
law,  Moses,  in  establishing  government. — Exodus  29 :22- 
24.  Thus  Moses  was  not  ashamed  to  be  instructed  bv  a 
black  man.  Philip  was  not  ashamed  to  take  a seat  beside 
the  Ethiopian  eunuch  and  to  instruct  him  in  the  gospel. 
The  Grand  Master  Solomon  was  not  ashamed  to  hold  con- 
ference with  the  Queen  of  Sheba.  Our  Grand  Master  Solo- 
mon did  not  divide  the  living  child,  whatever  he  might  do 
with  the  dead  one  ; neither  did  he  pretend  to  make  a law  to 
forbid  the  parties  from  having  free  intercourse  with  one 
another,  without  the  fear  of  censure,  or  be  turned  out  of  the 
synagogue. 

“Now,  my  brethren,  nothing  is  stable:  all  things  are 
changeable.  Let  us  seek  those  things  which  are  sure  and 
steadfast  and  let  us  pray  God  that,  while  we  remain  here 
He  would  give  us  the  grace  of  patience  and  strength  to 
bear  up  under  all  our  troubles,  which,  at  this  day,  God 
knows,  we  have  our  share  of.  Patience,  I say,  for  were 
we  not  possessed  of  a great  measure  of  it,  we  could  not  bear 
up  under  the  daily  insults  we  meet  with  in  the  streets  of 
Boston,  much  more  on  public  days  of  recreation.  How.  at 
such  times,  are  we  shamefully  abused,  and  that  to  such  a 
degree,  that  we  may  truly  be  said  to  carry  our  lives  in  our 
hands,  and  the  arrows  of  death  are  flying  about  our  heads. 
Helpless  women  have  their  clothes  torn  from  their  bacla 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  93 

And  by  •whom  are  these  disgraceful  and  abusive  actions 
committed?  Not  by  the  men  born  and  bred  in  Boston. 
They  are  better  bred ; but  by  a mob  or  horde  of  shameless, 
low-lived,  envious,  spiteful  persons — some  of  them  not  long 
since,  servants  in  gentlemen’s  kitchens,  scouring  knives, 
horse-tenders,  , chaise-drivers.  I was  told  by  a gentleman 
who  saw  the  filthy  behavior  in  the  Common,  that  in  all  the 
places  he  had  been  in,  he  never  saw  so  cruel  behavior  in  all 
his  life.  A slave  in  the  West  Indies,  on  Sundays,  or  holi- 
days, enjoys  himself  and  friends  without  molestation. 
Not  only  this  man,  but  many  in  town,  have  seen  their  be- 
havior to  us,  and  that  without  provocation  twenty  or  thirty 
cowards  have  fallen  upon  one  man.  (0,  the  patience  of 
the  blacks. ) 'Tis  not  for  want  of  courage  in  you,  for  they 
know  that  they  do  not  face  you  man  for  man,  but  in  a mob, 
which  we  despise,  and  would  rather  suffer  wrong  than  do 
wrong,  to  the  disturbance  of  the  community,  and  the  dis- 
grace of  our  reputation,  for  every  good  citizen  doth  honor 
to  the  laws  of  the  State  where  he  resides.  My  brethren, 
let  us  not  be  cast  down  under  these  and  many  other  abuses 
we  at  present  are  laboring  under,  for  the  darkest  hour  is 
just  before  the  break  of  day.  My  brethren,  let  us  remem- 
ber what  a dark  day  it  was  with  our  African  brethren  six 
years  ago  in  the  West  Indies.  Nothing  but  tbe  snap  of  the 
whip  was  heard  from  morning  to  evening.  Hanging, 
breaking  on  the  wheel,  burning  and  all  manner  of  tortures 
were  inflicted  on  those  unhappy  people.  But,  blessed  be 
God,  the  scene  is  changed.  They  now  confess  that  God 
hath  no  respect  of  persons,  and  therefore  receive  them  as 
their  friends,  and  treat  them  as  brothers.  Thus  doth 
Ethiopia  stretch  forth  her  hand  from  slavery  to  freedom 
and  equality.” 

Prince  Hall  here  refers  to  the  place  of  his  birth,  telling 
his  brethren  of  the  hardships  and  privileges  of  his  race 
in  the  West  Indies,  thus  showing  his  familiarity  with  the 
ways  of  sla,ve-owners  in  these  islands  and  comparing 
them  by  way  of  encouragement  of  his  brethren  in  America. 

Throughout  his  wonderful  career  the  man  was  unique 
in  respect  to  amiability  of  character  and  kindness  of  man- 
ners. His  marvelous  personal  charm  endeared  all  his 
associates  to  him.  He  possessed  the  highest  tact  in  deal- 


94  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

ing  with  men  and  was  always  considerate  of  others’  feelings. 
He  fervently  believed  in  an  Almighty  Being  who  rules 
the  universe  and  presides  in  the  councils  of  men  and  na- 
tions and  whose  providential  aid  can  supply  every  human 
defect.  He  believed  that,  though  the  hand  of  slavery  was 
heavy  upon  his  race  and  almost  unbearable,  there  would 
yet  come  a day  when  that  hand  would  relax  its  grasp  and 
his  race  in  America  would  finally  reach  the  glorious  goal 
which  God  intends  they  shall  achieve.  He  was  the  friend 
of  every  movement  that  had  for  its  end  the  advancement 
of  his  race  and  country.  Their  mutual  development  and 
progress  received  his  undivided  attention  at  all  times. 
Good  men  die  and  their  names  live  on  bronze  and  stone. 
But  great  men  like  Prince  Hall  live  in  the  memory  of  the 
people  forever. 

“Talk  of  his  doom  without  a sigh 
For  he  is  Freedom's  now,  and  Fame’s; 

One  of  the  few,  the  immortal  names 
That  were  not  born  to  die.” 

The  fall  of  1807  found  Prince  Hall  enjoying  a degree  of 
health  and  vigor  of  mind  and  body,  working  at  his  trade. 
At  other  times  he  could  be  seen  ploughing  through  snow 
and  rain  storms,  carrying  relief  to  some  poor  widow  or 
orphan  and  whispering  words  of  comfort  in  the  ear  of  some 
sick  brother.  While  on  this  errand  of  mercy  he  caught  a 
heavy  cold,  which  rapidly  developed  into  pneumonia,  from 
which  he  never  recovered.  When  his  brethren  and  other 
friends  would  call  and  ask  him  how  he  felt,  he  would  reply : 
“It  is  all  right.” 

“How  sweet  ’twill  be  at  evening’ 

If  you  and  I can  say, 

Good  sliepherd.  we  have  been  seeking, 

The  lambs  that  went  astray.” 

On  the  mcrning  of  December  7th.  1807,  after  an  illness 
of  four  weeks,  Prince  Hall  died,  surrounded  by  his  breth- 
ren and  friends,  all  bowing  in  profound  grief  and  silent 
prayer  in  token  of  respect  for  the  loss  of  this  good  man 
whom  heaven  had  selected  as  its  instrument  for  dispensing 
good  to  mankind. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  95 

“His  sufferings  ended  with  the  day, 

Yet  lived  lie'  at  its  close, 

And  breathed  the  long,  long  night  away, 

In  statuelike  repose. 

But  when  the  sun  in  all  its  state, 

Illuminated  the  eastern  skies, 

He  passed  through  glory’s  morning  gate, 

And  walked  in  paradise.” 

His  funeral  was  largely  attended  by  the  leading  white 
and  colored  citizens  of  Boston,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  with 
imposing  ceremonies  by  his  Masonic  brethren  in  Copp’s 
Hill  Cemetery.  His  grave  is  situated  near  a cluster  of  trees 
and  rosebushes.  Often  pilgrims,  with  sweeping  palms, 
floral  crowns  and  bouquets  of  favorite  flowers,  can  be  seen 
wending  their  way  to  this  sacred  spot  to  lay  their  offerings 
on  the  last  resting  place  of  the  first  Grand  Master  of 
Negro  Freemasons  in  America.  What  hallowed  memories 
should  dwell  in  the  hearts  of  every  Craftsman  who  visits 
this  memorable  spot.  This  great  Mason,  statesman  and 
soldier,  though  in  heaven,  still  lives  on  earth  as  a spotless 
example  to  the  young  men  of  to-day.  May  they  profit  by  his 
life’s  work,  and  their  lives  be  so  consecrated  to  good  deeds 
and  grand  thoughts  that  they  will  reach  the  very  pinnacle 
of  earthly  achievement. 

The  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Prince  Hall  by 
the  Masons  of  Massachusetts  in  Copp’s  Hill  Cemetery,  was 
unveiled  June  25th,  1895,  with  imposing  ceremonies.  All 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States  were  represented 
and  many  foreign  Lodges  sent  letters  of  greeting.  Bev. 
Brother  Stanford  of  Birmingham,  England,  represented 
the  Craft  of  that  country. 

The  monument  is  a beautiful  design,  with  a neat  base 
upon  which  rests  a broken  column,  emblematic  of  one  of 
the  lessons  of  Freemasonry. 

The  procession  was  magnificent,  extending  a mile  in 
length.-  It  was  reviewed  by  the  Governor  and  his  staff,  to- 
gether with  the  Mayor  and  many  prominent  Masons. 

The  ceremonies  were  concluded  by  a banquet,  given  by 
the  Mayor,  at  Faneuil  Hall,  the  old  historic  cradle  of 
liberty,  where  loyal  and  patriotic  men  endeavored,  in  the 
early  days  of  the  Revolution,  to  counsel  and  formulate 
plans  to  bring  about  freedom  and  liberty  to  their  country. 


96 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  X. 

KERO  PRINCE,  SECOND  GRAND  MASTER  OP  PRINCE  TTAT.T, 
GRAND  LODGE. 

A general  assembly  of  the  craft  was  called  July  24th, 
1808,  in  Boston,  Mass.,  by  I).  G.  M.  Xero  Prince,  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Grand  Master 
Prince  Hall  and  to  elect  a Grand  Master.  Lodges  from 
Philadelphia,  Providence  and  New  York  were  represented. 
In  reporting  the  death  of  Prince  Hall,  R.  TV.  Brother 
Nero  Prince  said: 

“The  craft  has  lost  its  greatest  Mason  and  Grand 
Master,  who  departed  this  life  December  7th,  1807.  a useful 
citizen  and  soldier,  a Christian  minister,  who  discharged 
all  his  duties  with  a high  order  of  intelligence.  African 
Grand  Lodge  and  the  craft  have  been  in  mourning  since. 
Our  mother  Grand  Lodge  sends  letters  of  sorrow.” 

Changing  the  Name. — R.  TV.  Brother  Nero  Prince  was 
elected  M.  W.  G.  M.,  and  the  name  of  African  Grand  Lodge 
was  changed  to  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge,  in  honor  of  the 
late  Grand  Master,  Prince  Hall.  The  Grand  Lodge  con- 
tinued to  contribute  to  the  Grand  Charity  Fund  until  the 
amalgamation  of  the  Moderns  and  the  Ancients  in  one 
United  Grand  Lodge  of  England  in  1813.  Nero  Prince, 
the  second  Grand  Master  of  African  Grand  Lodge,  was  a 
native  of  Russia.  He  filled  the  office  acceptably  to  the 
craft  from  1807  to  1809.  His  parents  were  Russian.  Jews, 
but  he  identified  himself  with  colored  people  anl  did 
everything  to  perpetuate  Freemasonry  among  them.  Ho 
led  an  upright  and  blameless  life  as  a man  and  a Mason. 
He  was  connected  with  every  good  cause  that  had  for 
its  end  the  benefit  of  mankind,  and  he  worked  earnestly 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  97 

and  vigorously  to  spread  the  great  Masonic  light  in 
America.  While  thus  engaged,  he  was  summoned  to 
Moscow  on  account  of  rumors  of  war  between  Russia  and 
France.  On  his  arrival  home  in  August,  1811,  he  found 


Nero  Prince, 

Deputy  Grand  Master,  1791. 


the  people  preparing  to  defend  their  city  and  homes  against 
the  enemy.  Moscow  was  founded  in  the  twelfth  century, 
and  became  the  capital  of  the  Russian  Empire  and  the 


98  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

residence  of  the  Grand  Duke  of  Moscow.  In  1712  Peter 
the  Great  transferred  the  capital  to  St,  Petersburg,  but 
Moscow,  being  the  sacred  city,  continued  to  stand  first 
in  the  estimation  of  the  Russian  nation.  In  1812  the 
population  was  252,609.  Napoleon  entered  the  city  Sep- 
tember 15  th,  1812,  and  on  September  16th,  Nero  Prince 
and  other  natives  set  fire  to  the  city  in  order  to  starve  out 
the  French  army,  thus  making  it  impossible  for  them  to 
remain.  This,  together  with  the  lack  of  supplies,  com- 
pelled Bonaparte  to  abandon  the  city.  There  were  only 
2,626  houses  left  standing  after  the  conflagration,  but 
the  city  was  soon  rebuilt.  In  recognition  of  the  services 
of  Nero  Prince,  he  was  elevated  to  the  office  of  a life 
guard  to  the  Emperor,  which  position  he  held  during  life. 
He  died  in  1825,  at  the  age  of  87,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Lutheran  Chapel  Cemetery,  Moscow. 

Petitioning  for  a Royal  Arch  Lodge. — Janu- 
ary 5th,  1824,  some  of  the  members  of  Prince  Hall 
Grand  Lodge,  seeing  some  of  the  subordinate  lodges 
(white)  were  conferring  the  upper  degrees,  were  of  the 
opinion  that  they  could  get  their  charter  amended  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  so  that  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge 
might  be  invested  with  the  same  power  as  the  white  Lodges 
to  confer  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  and  so  petitioned  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  an  extension  of  their  warrant 
to  that  end.  So  anxious  were  these  brethren  to  get  the 
Royal  Arch  degree  that  they  used  the  following  words: 
“It  is  with  regret  that,  we  communicate  to  you  that  from 
the  decease  of  our  well  beloved  brethren  who  obtained 
the  warrant,  we  have  not  been  able  for  several  years  to 
transmit  monies  and  hold  regular  communications.” 
This,  however,  was  not  the  action  of  Prince  Hall  Grand 
Lodge,  but  some  of  its  members  who  did  not  know  the 
status  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  and  its  relation  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England.  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  was 
not  upon  the  English  registry  in  1824,  and  by  a perfect 
understanding  between  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  and  the 
mother  Grand  Lodge,  the  name  of  Prince  Hall  Grand 
Lodge  was  dropped  from  the  English  registry  in  1813. 
From  the  death  of  Prince  Hall,  December  7th.  1807  and 
the  date  of  this  petition,  January  5th,  1824,  200  regular 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  99 

and  special  communications  were  held,  and  the  degrees  in 
Masonry  conferred  upon  fifty  candidates.  As  a matter  of 
fact,  this  request  to  England  was  not  an  official  act  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  but  a personal  one.  It  was  well  known  by 
the  officers  and  others  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge,  that 
there  had  been  established  in  Philadelphia,  January  12th, 
1820,  four  3rears  previous  to  this  petition,  an  African 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons.*  These  brethren  were  of 
the  opinion  that,  notwithstanding  this  historical  fact,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  could,  and  would,  authorize  them 
to  confer  the  Royal  Arch  Degree.  They  did  not  know  that 
there  were  two  or  more  Grand  Lodges  in  England  previous 
to  1813,  and  the  Lodges  in  America,  working  under 
Lawrence  Dermott’s  Ancient  Grand  Lodge,  were  the  only 
Lodges  conferring  the  Royal  Arch  degree  at  that  time  in 
America.  Lienee,  not  knowing  the  difference,  they  desired 
to  follow  after  their  white  brethren.  However,  their  peti- 
tion never  reached  London.  There  is  no  mention  of  it  in 
the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  from  1824 
to  1902.  The  original  warrant  of  this  Lodge  has  never 
been  out  of  the  possession  of  its  officers  from  the  day  it 
was  received  by  Prince  Hall,  1787,  to  the  present — it  is 
carefully  guarded,  and  can  be  inspected  by  any  Mason  who 
may  desire  to  see  it. 

P.  G.  M.  John  T.  Hilton,  in  an  address  before  Prince 
Hall  Grand  Lodge,.  1828,  said:  “Although,  brethren,  our 
charter  was  granted  in  London,  September  29th,  1784,  we 
■did  not  receive  it  until  April  29th,  1787,  through  the 
neglect  and  almost  culpable  carelessness  of  Brother 
Gregory,  who  did  not  take  it  from  the  Grand  Secretary, 
where  it  had  remained  over  two  years.  This  caused  Prince 
Hall  'so  much  anxiety,  fearing  it  was  lost,  and  when  ascer- 
taining that  it  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
he  intrusted  the  important  mission  to  Captain  . Scott  to 
pay  for  and  receive  it  from  the  Grand  Secretary,  and  at 
the  same  time  Prince  Hall,  in  a letter  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  England,  very  justly  censured  the  conduct  of  Brother 

*P.  N.  G.  M.,  R.  H.  Gleaves,  says  that  “Prince  Hall  Grand 
Lodge  has  always  held  its  regular  meetings  and  elected  its  Grand 
officers  annually  notwithstanding  the  Morgan  excitement,  (1833- 
1840)  and  the  wars  in  the  U.  S.” 


100  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Gregory.  Captain  Scott  was  true  to  his  trust,  and  on 
the  29th  of  April,  1787,  the  Charter  and  a beautiful  bound 
Book  of  the  Constitution  was  delivered  to  Prince  Hall. 
Great  was  the  rejoicing  that  day;  the  brethren’s  fearful 
anxieties  were  no  more ; we  stood  erect  and  proud,  and 
on  the  same  level  with  any  Lodge  in  the  world;  none  then 
could  deny  our  legality,  and  none  with  a knowledge  of 
these  facts  will  deny  it  to-day.  The  day  of  our  enrollment 


Lewis  Hayden, 

Eighteenth  Grand  Master  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass. 

in  the  list  of  Lodges  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  was 
to.  us,  as  Masons,  as  great  an  event  as  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  was  to  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
Although  firmly  established,  the  energies  of  Prince  Hall 
were  not  relaxed;  his  interest  for  the  Craft  under  his  care 
was  unabated.  The  Lodge  continued  to  meet  at  the 
“Golden  Fleece”  in'  Water  Street,  He  was  in  constant 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J OJ 

attendance,  taking  every  opportunity  to  inculcate  in  its 
members  the  importance  of  our  cardinal  virtues,  Temper- 
ance, Fortitude,  Prudence  and  Justice,  as  well  as  the 
fundamental  principles,  Brotherly  Love,  Friendship  and 
Truth.  There  was  no  delay,  no  hesitation,  no  scruples  in 
that  honorable  body  over  which  presided  Lord  Howard, 
the  Earl  of  Effingham,  and  Henry  Frederick,  Duke, of 


Wm.  L.  Reed 

Thirty -second  Grand  Master,  Prince  Hall  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass. 

Cumberland,  in  granting  to  their  colored  American 
brethren  the  fullest  Masonic  rights  and  privileges  which 
were  in  their  power  to  bestow.”  To  them  the  landmarks 
set  by  their  fathers  were  sacred  and  held  inviolable ; and 
so  they  remain  to  the  present  day.  It  embraces  the 


*02 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

African,  as  well  as  the  fairer  Saxon.  It  welcomes  within 
its  fraternal  fold  the  sons  of  every  clime  and  country.  Xo 
religious  creeds  nor  political  differences  separate  ns.  The 
Hebrew  and  the  Christian,  the  subject  and  the  citizen 
kneel  at  the  same  altar  and  receive  the  same  light;  we 
are  all  upon  the  same  level — the  king  and  peasant,  the 
master  and  the  servant  throughout  the  world.  We  are 
ofle  true,  undivided  band  of  brothers. 

“A  glorious  company,  the  flower  of  men. 

To  serve  as  model  for  the  mighty  world, 

1 make  them  lay  their  hands  in  mine,  and  swear 
To  break  the  heathen  and  uphold  the  Christ, 

To  ride  abroad,  redressing  human  wrongs, 

To  speak  no  slander,  no,  nor  listen  to  it, 

To  lead  sweet  lives  in  purest  chastity.” 

Colored  Man  Initiated  in  St.  Andrew's  Lodge 
(White). — Joshua  B.  Smith  was  initiated  a Mason 
in  St.  Andrew’s  Lodge,  of  this  city,  on  Thursday 
evening  last.  The  ceremonies  were  unusually  digni- 
fied and  solemn,  the  acceptance  of  the  candidate 
being  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  ancient  and 
highly  respected  Lod'ge.*  The  event  in  itself,  aside 
from  the  parties  immediately  concerned,  has  no  par- 
ticular interest,  save  that  it  is  the  first  time  in  the  history 
of  Masonry  in  this  State  that  a colored  man  has  been 
admitted  to  white  fellowship,  which,  we  sincerely  trust,  is 
the  dawn  of  a new  era  in  fraternal  association,  and  the 
first  step  towards  bringing  the  African  Lodges  of  this 
State  into  harmonious  relations  with  the  Massachusetts 
Grand  Lodge. 

A Remarkable  Address. — “Shall  Xegro  Masons  be 
Recognized?”  Rev.  W.  S.  Studley.  Before  10,000  Masons 
of  Boston,  Mass.,  on  the  24th  of  June,  1867,  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  Xew  Hall. 

After  a few  preliminary  remarks,  he  shaped  his  address 
in  the  following  lines: 

“How,  Masonry  is  to  be  rehabilitated  in  that  section  of 
our  land  where  it  has  been  more  or  less  demoralized  by  the 
ravages  of  war;  and  in  the  day  of  its  rehabilitation  it  will 

*The  above  may  be  found  in  the  Boston  Commonwealth  of  Dec. 
1,  1867. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J03 

include  within  its  ranks  many  of  the  long  despised  children 
of  the  sun. 

“It  requires  no  considerable  measure  of  the  spirit  of 
prophecy  to  perceive  that  the  day  is  not  remote  when  we 
shall  be  called  to  fraternize  with  many  a Free  Mason,  who 
was  once  denied  the  common  right  of  citizenship  among 
us  on  account  of  his  complexion.  If  it  has  not  already 
done  so,  every  institution  in  the  land,  however  conservative 
in  its  constitutional  tendencies,  has  got  to  meet  and  deter- 
mine the  point,  fairly  and  synarchy,  with  what  particular 
shade,  if  with  any  shade,  ostracism  for  color  shall  begin. 

“However  greatly  we  may  desire  to  do  so,  we  cannot 
keep  this  approaching  day  out  of  our  Masonic  calendars. 
It  will  come,  and  we  might  as  well  prepare  for  its  ap- 
proach. 

“Worthy  men  of  all  complexions  are  destined,  sooner  or 
later,  to  become  Free  Masons,  and  they  will  demand  to  be 
Accepted  Masons,  too.  Whether  you  and  I refuse  or 
assent  to  that  demand  will  make  no  difference  in  the  mat- 
ter of  its  ultimate  fulfillment. 

“If  we  have  not  already  done  so,  we  may  as  well  resolve 
here  and  now  not  to  war  against  destiny,  but  to  demon- 
strate our  practical  acceptance  of  the  broad  Masonic  in- 
terpretation of  brotherly  love.” 

A military  Lodge  is  a regular  Lodge  of  Masons  estab- 
lished by  a Grand  Lodge  of  competent  jurisdiction,  having 
the  same  general  power  as  other  Lodges.  Especially  was 
this  so  under  the  English  constitution  from  1717  to  1815. 
Prince  Hall  and  his  associates  were  initiated  in  one  of 
these  lodges  stationed  at  Copp’s  Hill,  Massachusetts,  in 
1775. 

There  was  no  law  in  existence  at  that  time  prohibiting 
military  Lodges  initiating  civilians.  The  constitution  of 
1722-1738,  or  the  “Ahiman  Eezor  Ritual,”  editions  of 
1764,  which  was  in  force  at  that  time,  or  the  editions  of 
1778,  all  fail  to  state  a law  prohibiting  the  initiating  of 
civilians.  This  fact  was  affirmed  by  the  Premier  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  World  by  approving  the  work  of  the  Wor- 
shipful Master  of  Military  Lodges  and  granting  to  its 
initiates,  Prince  Hall  and  others,  a warrant  of  authority 
in  1784,  empowering  them  to  work,  and  placing  the  name 


m 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

of  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  on  the  Grand  Register  as  a 
constitutionally  made  lodge. 

In  1870  the  Grand  Master  of  the  (white)  Grand  Lodge 
of  Massachusetts,  in  the  hope  of  finding  something  against 
the  establishment  of  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  by  the  Armv 
Lodge  in  1775,  wrote  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  requesting  to  be  informed  if  African 
Lodge,  No.  459,  ever  received  a dispensation  to  meet  and 
work  a Master  degree.  In  reply  the  Grand  Secretary  said, 
“I  can  find  no  record  in  1775  of  any  dispensation  granted 
African  Lodge,  No.  459,  F.  A.  A.  Masons.  The  Grand 
Lodge  books  were  not  kept,  as  they  are  now,  with  accuracy. 
Such  may,  nevertheless,  have  existed. 

“As  you  are  already  au7are,  the  warrant  for  the  African 
Lodge  was  granted  in  1784,  and  was  numbered  459,  but 
the  fee  for  the  warrant,  44s.,  does  not  appear  in  our  Grand 
Lodge  account  until  the  4th  of  April,  1787.  The  follow- 
ing remittances  were  received  for  the  Charity  Fund  from 
African  Lodge,  viz. : November  24th,  1787,  20s. ; No- 

vember 25th,  1789,  22s.  lid.;  April  18th,  1792,  11s.;  No- 
vember 27th,  1793,  15s.  6d. ; November  22d,  1797,  15s. 
The  number  of  this  Lodge  was  afterwards  changed  to  370, 
and  continued. so.  on  our  calendar. 

(Signed)  John  Hervey,  G.  S. 

May  5th,  1870. 

Quoting  Brother  Albert  Pike,  at  a banquet  in  St.  Louis, 
in  September,  1868,  when  he  said : “God  pity  the  man  who 
will  not  lay  on  the  altar  of  ambition  every  feeling  of  ill 
in  his  heart  towards  a brother  Mason,  no  matter  what  rite 
you  may  believe  or  at  what  altar  you  may  worship.” 

Brother  Gardener,  in  1870,  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts  (white)  said:  “The  institution  of  Free 
Masonry  is  universal.  It  stretches  from  east  to  west, 
from  north  to  south,  and  embraces  within  itself  the  rep- 
resentatives of  every  branch  of  the  human  family.  It  is 
inscribed  upon  oiar  Grand  Lodge  banner,  ‘Man  everywhere 
our  brother.’  ” 

T.  S.  Parvin:  “Negroes  can  make  as  good  showing  as  the 
whites  can  in  Freemasonry.”  Mackey:  “African  Lodge 
is  a regular  Lodge.” 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  105 

These  are  grand  sentiments  and  certainly  emanating 
from  Masons  whose  hearts  were  right  and  who  viewed  Ma- 
sonry from  the  standpoint  of  the  fathers.  It  follows, 
then,  that  from  the  jungles  of  Africa,  the  mines  of  Cali- 
fornia, the  plains  of  Hindostan,  the  snow-covered  summits 
of  Norway,  from  the  Emerald  Isle,  the  sunny  fields  of 
France  or  from  whatever  nation  or  clime  he  may  have 
traveled,  the  brother  of  whatever  complexion,  if  he  be  a 
Mason,  and  proves  himself  such,  should  be  welcomed  as  a 
man  and  Mason  into  all  our  Lodges  and  be  entitled  to 
equal  rights  in  our  great  brotherhood  of  benevolence. 

The  following  is  a list  of  those  who  have  served  as 
Grand  Masters  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  from  1775  to 
1902,  thus  showing  a continuous  existence  to  the  present: 


1.  Prince  Hall from  1775  to  1807. 

2.  Nero  Prince  from  1807  to  1809. 

3.  George  Middleton  from  1809  to  1811. 

4.  Peter  Lew  from  1811  to  1817, 

5.  Samuel  H.  Moody  from  1817  to  1826. 

6.  John  T.  Hilton  from  1826  to  1827. 

7.  C.  A.  Derandomie  from  1827  t>  1829. 

8.  Walker  Lewis  from  1829  to  1831. 

9.  Thomas  Dalton  from  1831  to  1832. 

10.  George  Gaul  from  1832  to  1834. 

11.  James  H.  Howe  from  1834  to  1836. 

12.  John  T.  Hilton  from  1836  to  1847. 

13.  S.  T.  Kendall  from  1847  to  1850. 

14.  John  V.  Degrasse  from  1850  to  1851. 

15.  Thomas  Thomas  from  1851  to  1852. 

16.  Joseph  M.  Scott  from  1852  to  1854. 

17.  George  M.  Mitchell  from  1854  to  1855. 

18.  Lewis  Hayden  from  1855  to  1870. 

19.  Charles  T.  A.  Francis  from  1870  to  1876. 

20.  Edward  P.  Rheeler  from  1876  to  1S80. 

21.  Jeremiah  P.  Harvey  from  1880  to  1SS2. 

22.  Andrew  M.  Bush  from  1882  to  1883. 

23.  Samuel  T.  Bermingham  from  1883  to  1885. 

24.  Francis  P.  Clark  from  1885  to  1890. 

25.  Julius  C.  Chappelle  from  1890  to  1891. 

26.  Robert  Morris  from  ^891  to  1892. 

27.  Nelson  P.  entworth  from  1892  to  1893. 

28.  Emanuel  Sullivan  from  1893  to  1894. 

29.  Joseph  J.  Smith  from  1894  to  1895. 

30.  Benjamin  G.  Butler  from  1895  to  1898. 

31.  Frank  Douglass  from  1898  to  1899. 

32.  William  L.  Reed  from  1899  to  1902. 


t06  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  above  list  of  Grand  Masters  Iras  been  compiled  from 
the  records  and  manuscripts  of  old  Masons,  and  shows 
continued  and  regular  communication. 

Since  the  granting  of  the  original  charter  sharp  at- 
tacks and  a quick  defence  as  to  our  legality,  with  insur- 
mountable proofs  of  a pure  Masonic  origin,  have  followed 
one  another  from  intelligent  and  able  (if  sometimes  un- 
fair and  unjust)  Masonic  commentators.  Researches  have 
been  made  and  facts  of  Masonic  history  drawn  out,  charm- 
ing and  delightful  to  the  lover  of  the  history  of  the  Craft. 
This  great  question  was  brought  prominently  before  the 
Masonic  world  in  1898  by  the  following  incident:  Two 

brother  Masons  by  the  names  of  Gideon  S.  Baylie  and  C. 
A.  Rideout,  by  letter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  (white*)  of  the 
State  of  Washington,  in  proper  language  and  Masonic 
terms,  prayed  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Washington  would 
make  provision  whereby  they,  as  true,  trusty  and  tried 
Masons,  could  be  brought  to  enjoy  the  fraternal  confidence 
of  the  members  of  the  Craft,  etc.  This  letter  was  received 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Washington,  and  by  them  referred 
to  a committee  who  subsequently  reported. 

This  report,  for  fair  statements  of  fact  and  for  unper- 
verted truth,  has  never  been  surpassed.  The  committee 
went  over  the  often  explored  field  of  our  Masonic  origin 
and  found,  as  others  had  who  were  actuated  bv  the  feeling 
of  common  justice  and  fair  play,  indisputable  proofs  of 
the  legality  of  our  origin  and  the  facts  of  our  perpetuation 
according  to  the  usages  of  Masonry  long  established.  ( See 
“Light  on  Dark  Subjects/’  1889.) 

It  is  not  our  purpose  to  call  in  question  the  right  to 
recognition  of  the  colored  Masons  in  the  United  States  by 
their  white  fellow  Masons.  That  should  give  him  no  con- 
cern, especially  when  he  knows  he  is  recognized  in  all  other 
countries,  and  the  only  barrier  in  some  of  the  States  of 
the  LTnion  is  the  color  of  his  skin,  not  Masonry.  Colored 
and  white  men  received  their  Freemasonry  from  the  same 
source.  This  all  men  must  acknowledge.  Uhey  have 
among  them,  as  the  reader  will  see  in  another  part  of  this 
book,  every  rite  known  to  Freemasonry  throughout  the 

*The  terms  white  and  white  lodges,  wherever  employed  in  this 
book,  are  used  merely  as  terms  to  distinguish  the  bodies. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J 07 

civilized  world.  On  onr  visits  to  Europe,  Asia,  Africa, 
West  Indies  and  South  America,  a few  years  ago,  we  were 
fraternally  received  in  each  department  of  Freemasonry. 
Freemasonry  is  a secret  society,  and  for  more  than  two 
thousand  years  its  members  were  forbidden  to  publish  any- 
thing relative  to  its  origin  or  teaching;  yet,  through  all 
that  period,  its  history  was  transmitted  from  generation  to 
generation,  unsullied  by  time  and  uncontaminated  by  the 
sacrilegious  hands  of  the  innovator.  This  is  not  difficult 
to  account  for  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  legends  and 
traditions  of  the  order  have  ever  constituted  a portion  of 
the  teaching  intimately  connected  with  and  inseparable 
from  the  ritual  of  the  lodge  room.  These  instructions 
have  not  only  been  communicated  to  all  initiates,  but  they 
have  been  required  so  to  impress  them  on  their  own  minds 
as  to  be  able  to  teach  them  in  turn  from  man  to  man  in  the 
same  unmistakable  and  unalterable  symbolism,  thus  pre- 
serving their  identity  and  their  universal  language. 

It  has  been  the  earnest  aim  of  the  compiler  and  author 
to  embody  in  these  pages  the  latest  conclusions  of  the  most 
eminent  authorities  regarding  Freemasonry  among  colored 
Masons  in  the  United  States.  The  especial  object  in  the 
preparation  of  this  work  being  to  clear  away  the  rubbish 
and  bring  to  light  historical  truths  pertaining  to  the  ad- 
vancement and  achievements  of  the  negroes  in  the  United 
States  since  the  emancipation,  and  the  establishment  and 
growth  of  Freemasonry  among  colored  men  during  the  past 
century. 


JOS 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XI. 

FREEMASONRY  IX  PENNSYLVANIA — 1797. 

Rev.  Absalom  Jones,  the  first  Master  of  African  Lodge 
of  Philadelphia,  was  born  a slave  in  Sussex,  Delaware,  on 
the  6th  of  November,  1746.  He  was  not  able  to  procure 
a common  school  education  before  reaching  manhood,  but, 
when  the  opportunity  came  he  studied  faithfully  and  dil- 
igently and  soon  acquired  quite  a proficiency  in  his  studies. 
By  industrious  habits  and  close  attention  to  business,  in 
a short  time  he  became  the  owner  of  several  houses  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.  He  studied  for  the  ministry  and  in 
1792  organized  St.  Thomas’s  Episcopal  Church,  the  first 
of  that  denomination  established  in  America  for  colored 
people.  He  became  the  first  pastor  and  served  as  such  for 
twenty-two  years.  In  September,  1793,  the  yellow  fever 
broke  out  in  Philadelphia  and  was  mostly  confined  to  the 
white  population.  The  colored  people  were  asked  to  come 
forward  and  assist  in  caring  for  the  sick.  To  this  sum- 
mons they  nobly  responded.  Rev.  Absalom  J ones.  Rich- 
ard Allen,  William  Gray,  Peter  Richmond,  Dr.  Rush  and 
William  Burleigh  were  appointed  superintendents  of  the 
work.  For  the  diligent  and  heroic  manner  in  which  they 
fought  the  disease  Mayor  Matthew  Clarkson  commended 
them  by  issuing  the  following : 

“Having,  during  the  prevalence  of  the  late  malignant 
disorders,  had  almost  daily  opportunity  of  seeing  the  con- 
duct of  Absalom  Jones,  Richard  Allen  and  the. people  em- 
ployed by  them  to  bury  the  dead,  etc.,  approbation  of  their 
proceedings,  diligence,  attention  and  'decency  of  deport- 
ment, as  far  as  the  same  came  under  my  notice,  affords  me 
much  satisfaction. 

“(Signed)  Matthew  Clarkson, 
“Mayor,  Philadelphia,  Jan.  23,  1794." 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  1 09 

Rev.  Jones  numbered  among  his  friends  Prince  Hall  of 
Boston.  Their  friendship  lasted  until  the  death  of  the 
latter  in  1807. 


First  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  1S15. 

The  following  letter  was  sent  by  Prince  Hall  to  Rev. 
Jones,  in  answer  to  a letter  of  introduction  of  Hr.  Henry 
Stewart  of  Philadelphia ; 


UO  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Boston-;  Sept.  16th,  1789. 
Dear  Brethren-  of  the  African  Society  : 

These  lines  come  to  acquaint  you  that  we  have  your 
recommended  brother,  Mr.  Henry  Stewart,  with  us,  and  I 
am  happy  to  hear  that  you  have  such  a society  built  on  so 
laudable  a foundation.  May  God  prosper  you  in  this  and  all 
your  undertakings  for  the  good  of  your  African  brethren. 
I hope  you  will  go  on  and  prosper.  I shall  be  always 
happy  in  hearing  of  your  welfare.  We  here  are  not  idle, 
but  are  doing  what  we  can  to  promote  the  interest  and 
good  of  our  dear  brethren  that  stand  in  so  much  need  at 
such  a time  as  this.  We  shall  be  glad,  therefore,  to  hear 
of  your  proceedings  by  letter  of  correspondence  with  us. 

Your  brother  Stewart  will  inform  you  by  word  of  mouth 
of  some  Masonic  proposals  we  mi-de  to  him.  which  I do  not 
care  to  write  at  this  time.  Yo  more  at  present,  but  remain, 
Your  loving  brother. 

Farewell, 

(Signed)  Prince  Hall. 

REPLY  TO  PRIYCE  HALL’S  LETTER. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  28th,  1789. 

Dear  Brother: 

We  read  your  epistle  by  the  hand  of  Henrv  Stewart,  one 
of  our  members,  who  visited  you.  It  afforded  us  much  sat- 
isfaction to  find  fhat  you  are  united  with  us  in  laboring  in 
the  same  vineyard,  we  seriously  hope  to  the  honor  of  God 
and  the  benefit  of  mankind.  Absalom  Jones. 

On  March  2d,  1797,  Rev.  Absalom  Jones,  together  with 
other  leading  colored  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  held  a meet- 
ing for  the  purpose  of  petitioning  African  Lodge  of  Boston 
for  a charter  to  work  a Masters’  Lodge  in  their  city. 
This  petition  was  signed  by  Rev.  Jones,  Rev.  Peter  Man- 
tore,  William  Harding,  James  Forten,  Peter  Richmond 
and  Richard  Parker, 

Dispensation  was  granted  by  Provincial  Grand  Master 
Prince  Hall,  March  29th,  1797.  At  the  same  time  he 
informed  them  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  “willing  to  set 
them  at  work,  under  a copy  of  their  charter,  and  Lodge 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  fit 

459  from  London.  Under  that  authority  and  by  the  name 
of  African  Lodge,  459,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  we  hereby 
and  hereon  give  you  license  to  assemble  and  work  as  afore^ 
sard,  under  that  denomination  as  in  the  sight  and  fear  of 
God.” 

At  a meeting  held  June  24th,  1797,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts  granted  a warrant  to  Beu.  Absalom  Jones, 
W.  M.,  Peter  Mantore,  S.  W.,  William  Harding,  J.  W.,  and 
others  to  establish  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  Pa.,  giving  them  a true  copy  of  the  warrant 
that  they  had  received  from  England,  granted  in  1784  and 
received  1787.  The  officers  were  duly  installed  by  G.  M. 
Prince  Hall,  assisted  by  Cyrus  Forbes,  Senior  Grand  War- 
den, and  George  Middleton,  Junior  Grand  Warden,  Sep- 
tember 22d,  1797. 

First  officers: 

Bev.  Absalom  Jones,  W.  M. 

Bev.  Peter  Mantore,  S.  W. 

William  Harding,  J.  W. 

Peter  Bichmond,  Secretary. 

Bev.  Bic-hard  Allen.  Treasurer. 

James  Forten,  S.  D. 

Bichard  Parker.  J.  D. 

Thomas  Depee,  Tiler. 

The  Lodge  held  its  regular  communications  at  155  Lom- 
bard Street.  On  November  26th,  1798,  John  Coates, 
Evans  Jones,  Bev.  William  White,  Caesar  Thomas,  Henry 
Stewart,  Peter  Miller,  Nathan  Gray,  Francis  Johnson, 
Caesar  Worthington  and  James  Moses  met  at  Brother 
Mark  Stevenson’s  house  and  passed  a resolution  changing 
the  name  of  the  Lodge  from  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  to 
James  Moses  Lodge,  No.  1,  F.  A.  A.  M. 

The  action  of  these  members  was  brought  to  the  atten- 
tion of  Provincial  Grand  Master  Prince  Hall,  who  refused 
to  sanction  their  acts.  Therefore  the  name  was  never  used. 
The  Lodge  continued  to  grow  and  celebrated  its  ten  years 
of  organization  in  1808  by  marching  from  their  hall  to 
St.  Thomas’s  Church,  where  they  had  a sermon  preached 
by  Bev,  Bichard  Allen.  Some  of  the  grand  officers  of 


\\2  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  the  following 
members  were  present: 

Roster  of  the  Early  Members  of  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  located  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1797- 
1808. 


Rev.  Absalom  Jones, 
*Rev.  Peter  Mantore, 
♦William  Harding, 
*Peter  Richmond. 

Rev.  Richard  Allen, 
*.James  Forten, 
♦Richard  Parker, 
♦Thomas  Depee, 

Rev.  William  White, 
*Csesar  Thomas, 
Henry  Stewart, 

Peter  Miller, 

*Nathan  Gray, 

♦Csesar  Washington, 
♦James  Moses, 

Mark  Stevenson, 
♦William  Jeffers, 
♦Passey  Benjamine, 
Clark  Perry, 

♦Richard  Nurse, 
♦Jonathan  Harding, 


♦Prince  Sanders, 
Warren  Thomas, 
Jacob  Gilmore, 
Evans  Jones, 
William  Gray, 
♦Robert  Barclay, 
William  Gardner, 
Randall  Sheppard, 
♦Rev.  Charles  Carr, 
Francis  Johnson, 

J.  Blake, 

John  Coates, 

♦Prim  Clover, 
♦Samuel  Baston; 
Joseph  Johnson, 
♦Cato  Freeman, 
♦Caesar  Cranchell, 
James  Potter, 
Anthony  Taylor, 
♦Kingston  Pease, 
John  Dodd, 


Cyrus  Bustill, 
Bustill  Bowser, 
♦Robert  Bogle, 

♦Tod  Finch, 

James  Caton, 
Abraham  Inglis, 
♦William  Wiltshire, 
♦Nicholas  Wain, 
William  Rogers, 
Miers  Fisher, 
♦James  Miutess, 
♦Israel  De  Silver, 
Francis  Lewis, 
♦Thomas  Henderson, 
William  Burrows, 
John  Emory, 
♦Alexander  Cicero, 
James  Dexter, 

♦Cato  Wilks, 

♦Peter  Bows. 


Note — Those  names  marked  ♦ were  made  Masons  and  received 
the  Royal  Arch  and  Templar  Degrees  in  England,  France  and  the 
West  Indies. 

The  Lodge  certificate  given  John  Dodd,  Master  Mason.  Febru- 
ary 16,  1792,  commending  him  to  the  Fraternity  Universal,  and 
signed  Prince  Hall,  G.  M.;  Cyrus  Forbes,  S.  G.  W.;  George  Mid- 
dleton, J.  G.  W. ; may  also  be  found  in  this  record. 

On  June  8th,  1810,  George  Middleton,  Grand  Master 
of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass.,  granted  a 
warrant  to  establish  Union  Lodge,  Ho.  2,  and  now  Ho.  1. 
This  was  the  second  Lodge  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1S11. 
Peter  Lew,  Grand  Master  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge, 
granted  a warrant  to  open  Laurel  Lodge,  Ho.  5,  now  Ho. 
2,  and  Phoenix  Lodge,  Ho.  6,  and  how  Ho.  3,  in  1811.  On 
St.  John’s  day,  December  27th,  A.  D.  1815,  a convention  of 
the  Craft  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Craft 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  1 13 

assembled  at  Masonic  Hall,  155  Lombard  Street,  and  con- 
summated the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the 
election  of  Rev.  Absalom  Jones,  M.  W.  G.  M. ; Richard 
Parker,  R.  W.  D.  G.  M. ; Thomas  Depee,  R.  W.  G.  S.  W. ; 
Prim  Clover,  R.  W.  G.  J.  W. ; Peter  Richmond,  R.  W.  G. 
Secretary.  The  subordinate  Lodges  surrendered  their 
old  warrants  to  the  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
and  took  out  warrants  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  title  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  fixed  as  fol- 
lows : “The  First  African  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of 

F.  and  A.  M’s.  of  North  America  for  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania.” The  Lodges  were  rechartered  and  numbered  as 
follows:  Union  Lodge,  No.  1;  Laurel  Lodge,  No.  2; 

Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  3. 

On  the  corner  stone  of  the  Masonic  Hall,  South  Eleventh 
Street,  Philadelphia,  laid  October  25th,  1814,  may  be 
seen  this  inscription:  “Founded  by  Peter  Richmond, 

Worshipful  Master  of  the  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  Oct. 
25,  1814.  A.  L.  5814.” 

This  Grand  Lodge  is  therefore  a descendant  from  Prince 
Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  the  second  colored 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  United  States,  and  upon  its  rolls 
will  be  found  master  minds — historians,  scholars,  lawyers, 
doctors,  preachers,  and  Masonic  jurists,  who  gave  their 
life’s  work  in  upbuilding  the  Craft  in  America.  From 
this  Grand  Lodge  warrants  were  issued  to  subordinate 
Lodges  in  many  of  the  States. 

Rev.  Absalom  Jones,  after  many  years  of  active  and 
faithful  service  in  the  church  and  the  Masonic  Fraternity, 
was  released  from  his  toils  and  labors  by  the  messenger 
Death  on  February  13  th,  1818,  aged  71  years. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1818,  the  following  notice  was  pub- 
lished in  Poulson’s  American  Daily  Advertiser : 

“At  a meeting  of  the  African  Grand^  Lodge  of  North 
America,  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  6th 
inst.,  we  did  therein  agree,  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  said 
Lodge,  to  expel  the  persons  whose  names  are  hereto 
affixed,  for  their  bad  conduct  and  misdemeanors,  for  the 
term  of  ninety-nine  years,  nine  month,  nine  weeks  and  nine 
days.  James  G.  Johnson,  Secretary.” 


it 4 Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Sixteen  names  followed  of  members  who  in  a previous 
issue  of  the  same  paper  had  declared  themselves  “dissenting 
from  and  independent  of  that  body.” 

On  the  4th  of  .January,  1819,  the  warrant  of  Union 
Lodge,  No.  1,  was  ordered  to  be  restored  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  while  the  Lodge  was  ordered  to  be  expelled  for 
ninety-nine  years,  nine  months,  nine  weeks  and  nine  days. 
These  expulsions  led  to  the  formation  of  what  was  known 
as  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  in  July,  1819,  by  the  expelled  mem- 
bers of  Union  Lodge  and  others. 

In  1825  some  members  of  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  5,  were 
also  expelled  by  the  Independent  African  Grand  Lodge. 
They  continued  to  hold  meetings  and  engage  in  the  work, 
and  claimed  to  have  obtained,  May  7th,  1833,  a charter 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  (white)  of  Ohio,  meeting  at  Chilli- 
cothe. 

The  bitterest  animosity  existed  for  years  between  these 
organizations.  This  state  of  affairs  was  not  confined  to 
Pennsylvania.  In  New  York  the  Lodges  were  separate 
and  distinct  bodies,  holding  no  intercourse  with  each  other, 
and  cherishing,  in  many  instances,  hatred  where  love 
should  exist  between  them.  Prior  to  June  24th,  1847, 
there  wrere  only  four  Grand  Lodges  in  the  United  States, 
two  in  Pennsylvania,  one  in  Massachusetts  and  one  in 
New  York,  but  in  several  other  States  there  were  subordi- 
nate Lodges.  The  members  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of 
Pennsylvania  endeavored  to  unite  themselves  under  the 
National  Grand  Lodge,  in  bonds  that  would  be  irrevocable 
and  indissoluble. 

At  a meeting  of  the  masters,  wardens  and  legal  repre- 
sentatives of  the  subordinate  Lodges  under  African  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  and  Hiram  Grand  Lodge-  of  the 
same  State,  held  at  the  Hall  of  African  Grand  Lodge, 
South  Eleventh  Street,  on  January  19th,  1848,  according  to 
previous  notice  and  arrangements,  they  did  agree  that  the 
two  Grand  Lodge  warrants  and  all  former  warrants  and 
dispensations  under  their  jurisdiction  were  hereby  re- 
voked and  declared  forever  hereafter  null  and  void,  and  it 
was  further  resolved  that  new  warrants  be  granted  to  all 
subordinate  Lodges. 

All  was  peace  and  harmony,  but  in  October  of  the  fol- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  115 

lowing  year  dissensions  arose,  and  those  Lodges  which  had 
formerly  constituted  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  flocked  to 
themselves,  and  on  November  9th,  1849,  at  a meeting 
held  in  the  Hall,  South  Seventh  Street,  adopted  this 
resolution : 

“ Resolved , That  the  members  herein  named  dissolve  all 
further  connection  with  the  N.  G.  L.  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  to 
take  effect  forthwith.” 

These  Lodges,  aided  and  abetted  by  the  Grand  Master, 
Jacob  Jenkins,  claimed  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  held  meetings  in  the  hall  on 
_ South  Seventh  Street,  from  which  the  other  Lodges  were 
excluded. 

The  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
was  the  title  of  both  bodies,  but  they  were  more  familiarly 
styled  Eleventh  Streeters  and  Seventh  Streeters.  The 
two  bodies  entered  into  negotiations  looking  to  a union 
in  the  fall  of  1881,  but  with  worse  results  than  before.  For 
the  result  has  been  the  formation  of  a third  Grand  Lodge, 
and  the  commencement  of  two  suits  in  equity. 

The  court  finally  decided  that  the  Old  Grand  Lodge 
and  subordinate  lodges,  which  by  deed  appeared  to  have  a 
bona  fide  interest  in  the  property  had  a right,  and  none 
other.  The  grand  bodies  healed  all  differences  and  effected 
a union  in  1882,  since  which  time  harmony  has  prevailed 
throughout  the  State,  the  old  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  1815 
reigning  supreme. 

In  1884  the  following  order  was  issued : 

“The  Worshipful  Masters,  Wardens  and  members  of 
all  Lodges  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  M.  W.  Grand 
Lodge  will  take  notice, 

“That  at  the  Annual  Grand  Communication  held  Decem- 
ber 27th  and  29th,  A.  L.  5884,  Article  Ah  of  the  General 
Regulations,  was  altered  and  amended  to  read  as  follows: 

“ ‘Article  Y. — The  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  held  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  24th  day  of  June,  but  the 


U6 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Grand  Lodge,  by  resolution  adopted  in  open  session,  may 
order  a meeting  at  any  other  place,  at  which  meeting  the 
grand  officers  shall  be  elected  and  installed ; and  all  mat- 
ters affecting  the  Craft  generally,  in  this  jurisdiction,  shall 
be  considered  and  acted  upon.’ 

“In  the  name  of  God,  amen,  amen.  To  thee  we  offer 
thanks  in  the  name  of  the  Craft  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  (of  color)  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Peace, 
happiness  and  prosperity. 

“Whereas,  There  exists  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
two  separate'  bodies  known  as  Grand  Lodges  of  Colored 
Freemasons,  the  same  having  existed  for  a long  period  of 
time,  and  by  said  separation  the  Masonic  and  social  hap- 
piness of  the  members  of  both  Grand  Lodges  has  been 
greatly  retarded ; and  whereas,  the  principles  of  our  time- 
honored  institution  demand  no  such  separation  ; 

“Therefore,  be  it  resolved,  Both  parties  agreeing,  that 
we  enter  into  ways  and  means  to  effect  a lasting  union  of 
the  Craft  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  (of  color),  on  the 
following  basis:  That  after  St.  John’s  day,  December  the 

27th,  A.  D.  1882,  there  shall  be  but  one  Grand  Lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  (of  color)  in  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

“The  said  Grand  Lodge  to  be  known  as  the  United 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the 
Statp  of  Pennsylvania. 

“The  basis  to  form  the  said  United  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  shall  be  a convention  of  the  Craft  of  both 
Grand  Lodges  (of  color)  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
Said  convention  to  be  composed  of  the  Masters  and  War- 
dens of  each  warranted  Lodge  under  the  register  of  the  two 
respective  Grand  Lodges  now  existing  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  together  with  a committee  of  nine  members 
and  three  alternates  from  each  Grand  Lodge,  with  each 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary.  The  said  convention 
to  convene  on  the  20th  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1882.  at 
10  o’clock  A.  M..  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  (the  place  to  be 
hereafter  named).  Provided  that  a majority  of  the  Lodges 
now  working  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  two  respective 
Grand  Lodges  now  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  agree  to 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  1 17 

these  articles  of  union,  and  on  the  day  of  said  convention,, 
the  26th  of  December,  A.  D.  1882,  they  shall  proceed  to 
adopt  a constitution  and  elect  a Grand  Master  and  other 
officers  necessary  to  establish  a Grand  Lodge,  and  on  the 
day  of  St.  John,  December  27th,  A.  D.  1882,  they  shall 
assemble  and  open  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  and  install 
the  officers  elected  the  previous  day,  and  proclaim  the 
same. 

“There  shall  be  nothing  contained  in  these  articles  of 
agreement  to  be  so  understood  as  to  prevent  all  past  grand 
officers  and  members  of  the  two  respective  Grand  Lodges 
from  retaining  their  rank  as  acknowledged  by  each  Grand 
Lodge. 

“The  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  shall  be  composed  in 
the  following  manner,  namely,  a Grand  Master,  Past  Grand 
Masters,  a Deputy  Grand  Master,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ters, Grand  Senior  and  Junior  Wardens,  Past  Senior  and 
Junior  Grand  Wardens,  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters, 
Past  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  Grand  Treasurer  and 
Grand  Secretary,  Past  Grand  Treasurers  and  Grand  Sec- 
retaries, Grand  Sword  Bearer,  Grand  Lecturing  Master 
or  Masters,  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies,  Grand  Organist, 
Grand  Senior  and  Junior  Deacons,  Grand  Pursuivant, 
Grand  Tiler  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  warranted 
Lodges,  while  acting  as  such;  together  with  all  Past  Mas- 
ters by  virtue  of  service. 

“There  shall  be  from  and  after  the  day  of  the  festival  of 
St.  John,  December  27th,  A.  D.  1882,  a full,  "perfect  and 
perpetual  union  of  and  between  the  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  (of  color)  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  so  that  in 
all  time  hereafter  they  shall  form  and  constitute  but  one 
brotherhood,  and  that  the  said  community  of  colored 
Masons  shall  be  represented  in  one  Grand  Lodge. 

“To  be  solemnly  formed,  constituted  and  held  on  the 
said  day  of  the  festival  of  St.  John,  December  27th,  1882, 
and  thenceforth  forever. 

“There  shall  be  the  most  perfect  unity  in  entering, 
passing,  raising,  instructing  and  clothing  brothers,  so  that 
but  one  pure,  unsullied  system  according  to  the  genuine 


H8  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

landmarks,  laws  and  traditions  of  the  Craft  shall  be  main- 
tained, upheld  and  practiced  throughout  the  jurisdiction 
of  Pennsylvania  from  the  day  of  the  festival  of  St.  John, 
December  27th,  1882.  until  time  shall  be  no  more. 

“To  prevent  all  controversies  or  disputes  as  to  the  genu- 
ine and  pure  obligations,  forms,  rules  and  ancient  tradi- 
tions of  Freemasonry,  and  to  further  unite  and  bind  the 
whole  Craft  of  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  (of 
color)  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  one  indissoluble 
bond,  it  is  agreed  that  the  obligations  and  forms  that  have 
from  time  immemorial  been  established,  used  and  practiced 
in  the  Craft  shall  be  recognized,  accepted  and  taken  by  the 
members  of  both  Grand  Lodges  as  the  pure  and  genuine 
obligations  and  forms  by  which  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania  and  her  dependent  Lodges  in  every  part  of 
the  world,  shall  be  bound  for  the  purpose  of  establishing 
and  securing  this  perfect  uniformity  in  all  the  warranted 
Lodges,  and  also  prepare  for  the  Grand  Convention,  on  the 
26th  day  of  December.  A.  D.  1882,  and  to  place  all  the 
members  of  both  Grand  Lodges  on  a level  of  equality  on  the 
day  of  said  convention. 

“It  is  agreed  that  as  soon  as  these  presents  shall  have 
received  the  sanction  of  the  two  respective  Grand  Lodges, 
that  each  respective  Grand  Lodge  shall  appoint  a commit- 
tee of  expert  workmen,  to  consist  of  five  members,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  the  Lodges  of  both  Grand  Lodges 
for  the  purpose  of  harmonizing  the  work,  if  any  difference 
exist,  and  further,  each  respective  Grand  Lodge,  after 
sanctioning  these  articles  of  agreement,  shall  cause  to  be 
notified  all  the  warranted  Lodges  under  her  jurisdiction, 
and  request  the  Lodges  to  report  their  approval  or  rejection 
on  or  before  the  first  Monday  in  September,  A.  D.  1882. 

“For  the  purpose  of  avoiding  all  controversies  respect- 
ing property  belonging  to  the  several  Lodges  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  two  respective  Grand  Lodges,  having  the 
same  name  and  number,  the  one  possessing  property  in 
real  estate  shall  take  precedent  in  name  and  number;  but 
should  each  be  in  possession  of  real  estate,  the  matter  of 
priority  and  number  shall  be  determined  by  lot,  and  the 
name  and  number  so  disposed  shall  be  discontinued. 

“The  United  Grand  Lodge  shall  superintend  the  matter 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  \\9 


relating  to  the  numbering  of  Lodges,  either  in  session  or 
by  a committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  Joint  Committee 


For  the  one  part — 

Hans  Shadd, 

Luke  White, 

James  T.  Bobinson, 
Henry  H.  Gilbert, 
Francisco  B.  Berlasque, 
John  W.  Tate, 

William  H.  Miller. 


For  the  other  part- 

Jonathan  Miller, 
John  Hall.  M.  D., 
W.  L.  Underwood, 
J.  D.  Kelley, 

Peter  B.  Jones, 
James  H.  Berry, 
James  Ballard, 
John  Loper, 
William  H.  Wilson. 


“The  Craft  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  Brother 
David  Leary,  in  1882.  He  was  the  most  prominent  Ma- 
son of  his  day.  He  gave  many  years  of  service  to  the 
Craft  in  all  of  its  branches  and  was  most  conspicuous  in 
establishing  the  upper  degrees  of  Freemasonry.  He  de- 
parted tliis  life  on  the  third  day  of  May,  full  of  years  and 
honors.” 

“Rest  to  his  ashes; 

Peace  to  his  soul.’’ 

“Through  every  soul  a love  celestial  flows, 

And  in  God’s  likeness  spirit  glows.” 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Masters  of  the  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  F.  and  A. 
Masons,  organized  December  27th,  1815,  as  the  First 
African  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  Xorth  America. 


Rev.  Absalom  Jones  

Bro.  Peter  Richmond  

Bro.  Freeman  Lattimore,  Sr, 

Bro.  Peter  Richmond  

Bro.  Richard  Parker  

Bro.  Peter  Richmond  

Bro.  Richard  Parker  

Bro.  George  Hopewell  

Bro.  Richard  Hepburn  

Bro,  George  Clark  ......... 


from  1815  to  1816. 
from  1816  to  1S20. 
from  1820  to  1821. 
from  1S21  to  1825. 
from  1825  to  1S27. 
from  1827  to  1829. 
from  1829  to  1831. 
from  1831  to  1833. 
from  1833  to  1838. 
from  1838  to  1839, 


120 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 


Wm.  H.  Riley  

Jacob  Jenkins  

Wm.  H.  Riley  

Samuel  A.  Brown  .... 

Wm.  H.  Riley  

Samuel  Van  Brakle  . . 

Wm.  E.  Gipson 

Hans  Shadd  

James  Needham  

Jonathan  Davis  

Nathaniel  L.  Durham 
Ralph  G.  Gilmore  .... 

William  Cooper  

George  W.  Woolford  . 
Aaron  P.  Faucet  .... 
James  Fields  Needham 
William  H.  Miller  . . . 
W.  L.  Underwood  ... 
Samuel  M.  Bennett  . . 

W.  S.  Robinson  

George  W.  Higgins  . . 

J.  D.  Kelley  

John  W.  Simpson  . . . 
John  B.  Stansberry  . . 

John  R.  Moore  

Robert  Brady  

John  L.  Harkless  .... 

Geo.  A.  Fassitt 

James  L.  Thomas  . . . 


from 

1839 

to 

1848. 

from 

1848 

to 

1849. 

from 

1849 

to 

1850. 

from 

1850 

to 

1853. 

from 

1853 

to 

1857. 

from 

1857 

to 

1859. 

from 

1859 

to 

1860. 

from 

1860 

to 

1861. 

from 

1861 

to 

1863. 

from 

1863 

to 

1865. 

from 

1865 

to 

1867. 

from 

1867 

to 

1869. 

from 

1869 

to 

1871. 

from 

1871 

to 

1873. 

from 

IS  73 

to 

1875. 

from 

1875 

to 

1882. 

from 

1882 

to 

1885. 

from 

1885 

to 

1886. 

from 

1886 

to 

1887. 

from 

1887 

to 

18S8. 

, from 

1888 

to 

1889. 

from 

1889 

to 

1890. 

from 

1890 

to 

1S92. 

, from 

1892 

to 

1894. 

from 

1894 

to 

1895. 

from 

1895 

to 

1896. 

from 

1896 

to 

1897. 

from 

1897 

to 

1899. 

from 

1899  to 

1902. 

GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1S15-1902. 


Peter  Richmond, 

Peter  Mantore, 

Richard  Parker, 

James  G.  Johnson, 

Freeman  Lattimore,  Sr., 
Jonathan  Davis, 

Thomas  McShesson, 

William  H. 


Alfred  S.  Casey, 
John  W.  Tate, 

John  W.  Fisher, 
Frank  Wood, 
William  P.  Almond, 
William  S.  Mower, 
Joshua  D.  Kelley, 
Miller,  1902. 


The  following  are  the  Grand  Masters  who  served  as 
such  in  Hiram  and  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  in 
Pennsylvania  prior  to  forming  a union  of  the  said  Grand 
Bodies : 


J.  F.  Needham, 
Charles  Kelley, 
Francisco  Wood, 


Francis  Fausett, 
John  R.  Rhodes, 
Jonathan  Lopeman, 


Among’  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  121 


The  present  title  of  this  Grand  Lodge  is  “The  Most 
Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
Pennsylvania.” 

I cannot  close  the  history  of  this  State  without  giving 
thanks  to  Brother  P.  G.  M.  W.  H.  Miller,  present  Grand 
Secretary,  and  Brother  P.  G.  M.  James  F.  Needham,  from 
whose  manuscripts  much  of  the  information  has  been 
gathered. 


David  Waters, 
Isaiah  Cropper, 


Jonathan  E.  Miller. 
George  L.  Berry, 


Charles  IST.  Brown. 


122 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  RHODE  ISLAND 1797. 

In  the  year  1797  Prince  Hall  granted  a warrant  to  nine 
Master  Masons  who  were  previously  made  in  African  Lodge, 
Xo.  459,  Boston,  Mass.  They  were  freemen  and  resided 
in  Providence,  R.  I.  This  Lodge  was  duly  established 
June  25th,  1797,  under  the  title  of  Hiram  Lodge,  Xo.  3. 
This  was  the  third  Lodge  established  in  America  among 
colored  men  and  the  first  Lodge  in  Rhode  Island.  It  was 
also  the  only  Lodge  in  the  State  for  many  years,  and  is 
still  in  existence.  In  1825  M.  W.  G.  M.  Samuel  H. 
Moody,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  granted  a 
warrant  to  fourteen  Master  Masons  to  establish  another 
Lodge  in  the  same  city  under  the  title  of  Providence  Lodge. 
F.  A.  A.  M.,  which  was  constituted  January  22d  of  the 
same  year.  These  two  Lodges  continued  to  meet  socially 
and  otherwise  until  1853,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dela- 
ware granted  warrants  to  fourteen  Master  Masons  to 
establish  a Lodge  under  the  title  of  Meridian  Sun  Lodge, 
Xo.  5,  located  in  Providence.  The  warrant  bears  the  date 
of  February  2d,  1853,  making  two  Lodges  in  this  State 
der  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts, 
and  one  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Delaware. 

In  1856  a convention  of  the  Craft  was  called  by  Brother 
James  A.  Creighton,  Worshipful  Master  of  Meridian  Sun 
Lodge,  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Providence.  October  5th.  1856. 
to  organize  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Rhode  Island, 
which  was  established  by  electing  R.  W.  Brother  James  A. 
Creighton  Grand  Master  and  other  grand  officers.  In  1873 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware  brushed  aside  the  American 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  123 

doctrine  of  State  rights  and  granted  warrants  to  estab- 
lish Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  14,  at  Providence,  and  Boyer 
Lodge,  No.  15,  at  Newport,  and  these  two  Lodges  were 
instituted  June  20th  of  the  same  year,  and  remained 
under  the  Delaware  Grand  Lodge  until  1819,  when  they 
joined  the  home  Grand  Lodge. 

Since  organization  this  Grand  Lodge  has  chartered  eight 
subordinate  Lodges,  has  held  its  regular  annual  communi- 
cations, and  is  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  other 
Masonic  Lodges  of  the  world.  In  this  State  there  may  be 
found  Koyal  Arch  Chapters,  Commanderies  of  Knights 
Templar,  Scottish  Rite,  and  the  grand  governing  bodies  of 
the  same. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1856-1902. 


James  A.  Creighton, 
Benjamin  B.  Bryan, 
Mahlon  Van  Horn, 
Lewis  W.  Williams, 
William  H.  Turner, 


Augustus  Talbert, 

J.  H.  Banks, 

Edward  B.  Hebrew, 
John  C.  Barnes, 

Joseph  E.  Brown,  1902, 


PAST  GRJAND  SECRETARIES,  1S56-1902. 


Thomas  R.  Glasco,- 
Speneer  S.  Gilmore, 
Robert  B.  Wintorn, 


Lewis  W.  Williams, 
Joseph  H.  Banks, 
Joseph  H.  Pierce,  1902, 


J 24 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XIII: 

FREEMASONRY  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK — 1812. 

In  the  year  1812  Peter  Lew,  Grand  Master  of  Prince 
Grand  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass.,  granted  a warrant  to  nine 
aMster  Masons  to  open  and  work  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons 
in  New  York  city  under  the  title  of  Boyer  Lodge,  No.  1, 
F.  A.  A.  M.  This  Lodge  was  established  February  16th, 
1812.  In  the  spring  of  1826  Samuel  H.  Moody,  Grand 
Master,  issued  warrants  to  Celestial  Lodge,  No.  2 : Rising 
Sun,  No.  3,  and  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  4.  These  Lodges  re- 
mained under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts  many  years.  In  1827  the  Anti-Masonic  ex- 
citement broke  out,  being  set  on  foot  by  the  disappearance 
of  one  William  Morgan,  of  Batavia,  in  the  autumn  of  1826, 
who,  it  is  said,  was  about  to  publish  a book  exposing  the 
secrets  of  Freemasonry.  The  charge  was  made  that  the 
Masonic  fraternity  was  responsible  for  his  disappearance. 
On  this  circumstance  an  Anti-Masonic  party  was  formed 
which  extended  to  all  the  States  and  became  a potent 
political  factor.  Members  of  the  fraternity  were 
shunned  and  ostracized.  Even  their  children  were 
pointed  out  as  playmates  to  be  avoided.  The  Masons 
were  charged  with  being  in  league  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  government,  and  under  such  bitter  perse- 
cution many  of  the  Lodges  yielded  to  the  force  of 
circumstances  and  suspended  their  meetings  until  the  war 
of  bigotry  had  subsided.  This  war  was  principally  waged 
against  white  Masons.  So  far  as  we  can  find  out  by  exam- 
ining the  minutes  of  the  colored  Lodges  then  in  existence 
we  find  they  stood  by  the  great  principles  of  the  order,  and 
so  bequeathed  to  their  successors  unsurrendered  charters 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  125 

and  an  unsullied,  full,  complete  and  unbroken  record  of 
regular  communications. 

A convention  of  the  Craft  was  called  to  meet  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  March  14th,  1845,  to  establish  a Grand 
Lodge  for  the  State.  This  was  consummated  by  the 
election  of  Paul  Drayton,  Grand  Master:  James  Barnett, 
S.  G.  W. ; Alexander  Elston,  J.  G.  W. ; Lewis  Hayden, 


Paul  Drayton, 

First  Grand  JIaster  of  New  York,  1845. 


G.  S.;  C.  G.  Boyer,  Sr.,  G.  T.,  and  other  grand  officers. 
The  title  of  this  Grand  Lodge  was  Boyer  Grand  Lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  New  Arork. 
Harmony  prevailed  throughout  the  Craft.  At  the  annual 
communication  held  December  27th,  1847,  in  Brooklyn, 
a communication  was  received  from  Prince  Hall  Grand 


126  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  signed  by  John  T.  Hilton,  G.  M., 
inviting  all  the  Grand  Lodges  to  a Masonic  conference  to 
be  held  in  Boston,  June  24th,  1847.  R.  W.  Brother  Alex- 
ander Elston,  Lewis  Hayden,  William  Clark,  were  elected 
to  represent  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Hew  York.  On  return 
of  the  delegates  they  reported  the  organization  of  a na- 
tional Grand  Lodge  of  Masons,  and  that  each  Grand  Lodge 
must  take  out  a warrant  under  the  same.  This  declaration 
brought  a storm  of  “no,”  and  the  Grand  Lodge  closed 
without  accomplishing  anything.  The  fight  was  taken  up 
in  the  subordinate  Lodges  led  by  Brother  James  Barnett. 
In  1848  a convention  of  the  Lodges  was  called  to  meet  in 
the  city  of  Hew  York,  October  13th,  1848,  to  unify  the 
Craft.  This  resulted  in  the  organization  of  another  Grand 
Lodge  under  the  title,  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  the  State  of  Hew  York,  and  elected  and 
installed  the  following  grand  officers: 

James  Barnett.  M.  W.  G.  M. ; Jacob  Gibbs,  R.  W.  D.  G. 
M. ; Alexander  Elston,  R.  W.  S.  G.  W. ; Arnold  Ricks,  R. 
W.  J.  G.  AY.;  Charles  Hooten,  R.  AY.  G.  T;  Jacob  Francis, 
R AAh  G.  Secretary,  and  other  grand  officers. 

The  Grand  Lodge  entered  upon  its  Masonic  duties,  hold- 
ing jurisdiction  over  the  State  and  refusing  to  take  a 
warrant  from  the  Hational  Grand  Lodge.  In  1855, 
through  the  influence  of  P.  G.  M.  Paul  Drayton  and  Alex- 
ander Elston,  a Grand  Lodge  was  formed  claiming  alle- 
giance to  the  Hational  Grand  Lodge,  under  the  title  of  “The 
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Hew  YMrk.” 
Here  the  State  rights  and  Hational  compacts  renewed  their 
fight.  At  the  session  held  in  June,  1869,  in  Hew  YY>rk 
city,  the  following  resolutions  were  approved  and  adopted, 
and  a copy  ordered  to  be  forwarded  to  the  M.  W.  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio : 

“To  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  [Most 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  for  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its  jurisdiction,  greeting : 
“Whereas,  The  M.  AY.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Hew 
York  has  been  officially  informed  of  the  action  taken  by 
the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its 
jurisdiction,  at  a special  communication  held  at  Lebanon, 
County  of  AAArren,  State  of  Ohio,  September  21,  A.  L. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  127 

5868,  whereby  the  aforesaid  Grand  Lodge  resumed  her 
indefeasible  authority  and  standing,  in  accordance  with  the 
usage  of  ancient  Craft  Masonry,  as  it  now  exists  through- 
out the  Masonic  world ; and, 

“ Whereas , The  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  Xew  York  desires, 
as  far  as  in  her  power  lies,  to  restore  union,  to  promote  har- 
mony and  perpetuate  brotherly  love  throughout  the  Craft, 
being  always  ready  to  avail  herself  of  every  opportunity  to 
reconcile  differences  and  to  exterminate  Masonic  errors, 
except  such  as  involve  a violation  of  the  principles,  or  an 
infraction  of  well  settled  Masonic  usage ; and, 

" Whereas , Inasmuch  as  the  M.  W.  United  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  State  of  Xew  York  holds  that  there  really  exists  no 
higher  power  in  Masonry  than  a Grand  Lodge,  and  that, 
therefore,  each  State  Grand  Lodge  is,  and  ought  to  be,  an 
independent  organization ; therefore, 

“This  Grand  Lodge  fully  coincides  with  and  endorses  the 
opinion  of  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio, 
viz. : That  the  erecting  of  a Xational  Grand  Lodge  over, 
and  making  a State  Grand  Lodge  subordinate  to  that  na- 
tional authority,  is  an  innovation  unprecedented,  unma- 
sonic  and  not  in  accordance  with  the  ancient  landmarks  of 
the  order. 

“Still,  this  Grand  Lodge  would  extend  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  to  her  sister  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  and  hail  her 
recent  action  as  an  indication  of  progress,  a harbinger  of  a 
not  far  distant  accord  upon  a sound  Masonic  basis  among 
colored  craftsmen  throughout  the  United  States ; would 
prefer  to  forget  the  discord  of  the  past,  to  ignore,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  dissension  caused  by  the  baseless  preten- 
sions to  the  exercise  of  unlawful  power.  Leaving  the  dead 
past  to  bury  the  dead,  this  Grand  Lodge  would  affection- 
ately urge  her  sister  Grand  Lodge  for  Ohio,  now  that  she 
has  placed  herself  again  in  the  old  way,  to  press  forward 
towards  the  mark  of  our  high  calling  as  Free  and -Accepted 
Masons,  and  to  endeavor  by  precept  and  example  to  build 
up  among  colored  men  in  each  of  these  United  States  a 
thoroughly  organized,  symmetrical  and  independent  body 
of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry. 

“Peter  W.  Ray,  Grand  Master, 
“John  R.  Porter,  G.  S.  ” 


128  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  fight  continued  until  the  National  compact  was 
beaten  from  the  Masonic  path  in  this  State  and  died  in 
1877,  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  1848  coming  out  of  the  bat- 
tle unscratched.  In  1877  G.  M.  Alfred  J.  Aldridge  called 
a meeting  of  the  representatives  to  meet  December  26th, 
1877,  at  Shiloh  Church,  No.  140  Sixth  Avenue,  New  York 
city,  for  the  purpose  of  reuniting  all  the  Lodges  in  the 
State  under  one  grand  head.  This  was  accomplished  and 
the  following  grand  officers  were  elected  for  the  Masonic 
year: 

James  Barnett,  M.  W.  G.  M. ; Jacob  Gibbs,  R.  W.  D.  G. 


John  H.  Deyo, 

Grand  Master  of  New  York. 

M. ; Alexander  Elston,  R.  IV.  G.  S.  W. ; Arnold  Ricks,  R. 
W.  G.  J.  M. ; Charles  Hooten.  R.  W.  G.  Treasurer ; Jacob 
Francis,  R.  W.  G.  Registrar ; Ransom  F.  Wake,  R.  W . G. 
Secretary. 

This  Grand  Lodge  formed  under  the  title  nited 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  the  State  of  New 
York,”  entered  upon  its  Masonic  duties,  holding  jurisdic- 
tion over  the  State  until  about  1855,  when  another  Grand 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  129 


Lodge  was  formed  claiming  allegiance  to  the  National 
Grand  Lodge,  under  the  title  “The  M.  W.  G.  Lodge  of  the 
State  of  New  York.”  These  bodies  continued  until  De- 
cember 26th,  1877,  when  a convention  of  the  Grand  Lodges 
was  held  at  Shiloh  Church,  No.  140  Sixth  Avenue,  New 
York,  for  the  purpose  of  healing  differences,  and  one 
Grand  Lodge  was  organized  for  the  State.  This  was  con- 
summated by  the  election  of  Brother  John  Chase,  M.  W.  G. 
M. ; Alfred  J.  Aldridge.  R.  W.  D.  G.  M. ; Robert  Mc- 
Dougall,  R.  W.  S.  G.  W. ; George  W.  A.  Murray,  R.  W. 
G.  J.  W. ; Joseph  A.  Trower,  R.  W.  G.  Treasurer;  William 
A.  Tolbert,  R.  W.  G.  Secretary;  Rev.  William  F.  Butler, 
R.  W.  G.  Chaplain ; William  F.  Potter,  R.  W.  G.  Tiler, 
since  which  time  the  Grand  Lodge  has  been  in  fraternal 
communication  with  all  the  Grand  Lodges  in  the  States 
and  has  warranted  forty-four  Lodges. 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  FOR  1901. 

Edw.  Y.  C.  Eato,  Grand  Master. 

Henry  A.  Spencer,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Chas.  S.  Robbins,  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

Jas.  E.  Farrell,  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

John  T.  Jackson,  Grand  Treasurer. 

Benjamin  Myers,  Grand  Secretary. 

Wm.  H.  AntkoDy,  D.D.G.M.,  New  York  City. 

Geo.  W.  A.  Murray,  D.D.G.M..  Long  Island. 

Jos.  E.  S.  Williams,  D.D.G.M.,  Eastern  District. 

Geo.  F.  Breed,  D.D.G.M.,  Central  District. 

John  W.  Thompson,  D.D.G.M.,  Western  District. 

Thomas  H.  Barnes,  D.D.G.M.,  Southern  District. 

James  McCadden,  Grand  Lecturer. 

John  Williams,  Grand  Chaplain. 

Major  R.  Poole,  Grand  Marshal. 

Wm.  Oscar  Payne,  Grand  Register. 

John  C.  Desverney,  Grand  Standard  Bearer. 

P.  H.  Alexander,  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

Enoch  R.  Spaulding,  Grand  Orator. 

L.  Marcus,  Grand  Director  of  Ceremonies. 

Wm.  Cotton,  Grand  Senior  Deacon. 

John  Jones,  Grand  Junior  Deacon. 

J.  Robert  Mason,  Grand  Organist. 

Orrin  Harris,  Grand  Pursuivant. 

Henry  Williams,  Senior  Grand  Steward. 

John  G.  Lee,  Senior  Grand  Steward. 

Peter  D.  White,  Junior  Grand  Steward. 

Chas.  H.  Moore,  Junior  Grand  Steward. 

S.  Harris,  Grand  Tiler. 


1 30 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  title  of  this  Grand  Lodge  is  “M.  W.  G.  L.  of  the 
Most  Ancient  and  Honorable  Fraternity  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  State  of  Hew  York.” 

The  following  is  a list  of  its  distinguished  Past  Grand 
Masters  and  Grand  Secretaries: 

GRAND  MASTERS,  1848—1902. 

Paul  Drayton  1845 — 1848 

Jacob  Gibb  1848—1852 

Lewis  A.  Hood,  (Bishop)  1852—1853 

William  Clark  1853 — 1854 

Charles  Hooten,  Sr 1854 — -1855 

James  Barnett  1855 — 1857 

William  A.  Elston  1857 — 1859 

Ransom  H.  Wake  1859 — 1862 

Patrick  H.  Reason  1862 — 1868 

Peter  W.  Ray  1808—1870 

William  C.  H.  Curtis  1S70 — 1875 

Robert  McDougall  1875 — 1876 

Alfred  J.  Aldrige  1876—1877 

John  Chase  1877 — 1879 

Alfred  J.  Aldrige  1879—1882 

“William  H.  Johnson  1882 — 1885 

H.  C.  Molson  18S5 — 1S94 

John  II.  Deyo  1894— 1S98 

Edward  B.  Irving  1S9S — 1S99 

Enoch  B.  Spaulding 1898 — 1899 

Edw.  V.  C.  Eato  1899—1902 

GRAND  SECRETARIES,  184S— 1902. 

R.  W.  Brother  Lewis  Hayden  1S45 — 184S 

R.  W.  Bro.  Ransom  F.  Wake ISIS— 1S58 

John  Peterson  185S — 1S59 

Patrick  H.  Reason  1859 — 1860 

John  R.  Porter  I860— 1S63 

.T.  II.  Towsend  1S03 — 1868 

John  H.  Porter  1S63 — 1S70 

William  Alex.  Elston  1870 — 1872 

Albert  Wilson  1S72— 1S76 

Jacob  51.  Butler  1S76 — 1877 

William  A.  Tolbert  1877 — 1S7S 

Peter  F.  Jewell  1S78— 1SS0 

Peter  Modest  1880 — 1S81 

Robert  F.  McDougall  18S1 — 1SS5 

Hannible  Molson  18S5 — 1890 

William  F.  Abbott  1S90— 1891 

Albert  Wilson  1S91 — 1892 

Alfred  L.  Charitian  1892 — 1S95 

Benjamin  Myers  1895 — 1902 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  1 3 1 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA — 1825. 

In  the  year  1807  the  colored  population  of  the  city  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  was  one  thousand  four  hundred  and 
ninety-eight,  of  which  four  hundred  and  ninety-four  were 
free.  In  that  year  (1807)  George  Hall,  Nicholas  Franklin 
and  Moses  Liverpool,  all  freemen,  came  to  the  city  from 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  found  no  schools  for  colored 
children.  They  erected  a sehoolhouse  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  Providence  Hospital.  George  Bell  at  once 
became  the  recognized  leader,  and  through  his  school 
much  was  accomplished  in  the  way  of  educating  the  col- 
ored children. 

In  1818,  he,  with  George  Bell,  John  W.  Prout,  John  F. 
Cook,  Sr.,  James  Harris,  Rev.  Stepney  Forrest  and  others, 
organized  the  Resolute  Beneficial  Society. * William  C. 
Costin  became  its  first  president,  and  James  Harris,  sec- 
retary. The  mission  of  this  society  was  not  only  to  bury 
their  members  and  take  care  of  their  sick,  but  the  real 
purpose  was  to  fight,  under  cover,  those  who  were  con- 
spicuous in  the  slave  trade  in  the  District  of  Columbia — 
such  as  Allison  Nailor,  Sr.,  Prince  Robey,  Carpehart, 
Henry  Burch — and  the  Georgia  slave  pen,  located  on 
Eighth  and  B streets,  S.  W.,  kept  by  Williams.  The 
colored  people  had  many  friends  among  the  refined  white 
people  of  the  city,  who  sympathized  with  the  work  of 

*Persons  connected  with  this  Society  and  the  early  schools,  were 
also  connected  with  the  organization  of  the  first  Lodge  of  Free- 
masons and  the  Underground  Railroad  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. 


132 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

getting  the  runaway  slaves  to  the  free  States.  The  slaves 
one  was  safely  landed  in  the  North.  Finally,  this  pen 
became  so  distasteful  to  the  citizens  of  the  District  that 
its  patrons  transferred  it  to  Alexandria,  Ya.,  where  it 
was  known  as  Burch’s  Jail,  and  there  the  traffic  in 
human  flesh  continued. 

In  1823  Henry  Smothers  built  a schoolhouse*  on  the 
corner  of  14th  and  H streets,  N.  W.  John  W.  Prout,  a 
man  of  rare  ability,  who  had  been  educated  in  the  North, 
came  to  Washington  from  Philadelphia,  during  the  first 
session  of  Congress  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  1800. 
He  succeeded  to  the  management  of  this  school,  which 
was  known  as  the  Columbia  Institute,  with  an  attendance 
of  150  pupils.  Mr.  Prout’s  assistant  was  Miss  Anna 
Maria  Hall,  a most  excellent  lady.  Mr.  Prout  and  his 
wife,  Henrietta  Prout,  resided  on  the  west  side  of  14th 
street,  between  C and  D streets,  N.  W.,  where  they  lived 
for  many  years.  Eev.  John  F.  Cook  succeeded  Mr.  Prout 
in  the  management  of  this  school. 

The  First  Lodge. — On  November  22d,  1822,  John  W. 
Prout  called  a meeting  at  his  house  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a Masonic  Lodge.  At  this  meeting  were  Eev. 
Stepney  Forrest,  William  Jackson,  Francis  Datcher,  Sr., 
Lloyd  Nichols,  William  C.  Costin,  William  Wormlev. 
John  Bandig,  James  Harris,  Edward  Maddox.  Nicholas 
Franklin,  Joshua  Water,  Charles  D.  Harris,  George  Bell, 
Albert  H.  Holly,  Eobert  H.  Teel.  Bichard  Wallace,  Sr., 
Moses  Liverpool,  William  T.  Biehardson,  George  S. 
Jackson,  William  H.  Harris,  George  Coggins,  Samuel  L. 
Smoot,  Joseph  Price,  Sr..  Daniel  Magruder.  Hamilton  D. 
Savage,  Mathias  Harkins,  Eugene  B.  Brown,  William 
Carroll  and  Wilson  Briscal. 

On  January  1st,  1823,  Lloyd  Nicholas,  William  C. 
Costin,  Francis  Datcher,  Sr.,  William  Jackson  and  Wil- 
liam Wormley  were  initiated,  passed  and  raised  to  the 
sublime  degree  of  Master  Masons,  in  due  form,  in  Laurel 


First  Public  School  was  Lincoln,  located  on  2nd  St.  S.  E. 
Prof.  Barnard's  Educational  Reports,  2 & 3,  1SS2-1834. 
Crew's  History  of  District  of  Columbia. 

Cohen  City  Directory  of  Washington. 

Records  of  Social  Lodge,  F.A.A.M.,  1S25-1838. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  133 


Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  John  W.  Prout  was 
made  a Master  Mason  January  4th,  1816,  in  Union  Lodge, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  In  1825  they  petitioned  African  Grand 
Lodge  of  North  America,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  for  a war- 
rant to  work  a Masters’  Lodge  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
as  follows : 

Petition". — “Know  je  that  whereas  your  petitioning 
brethren  have  by  long  experience  found  it  greatly  incon- 
venient and  sometimes  impossible  to  attend  our  Lodge  in 
Philadelphia,  by  which  we  are  deprived  of  the  society, 
fellowship  and  instructions, 

“Therefore,  we,  the  subscribers,  having  the  good  of 
Masonry  entirely  at  heart,  and  from  no  other  motive, 
have  ventured  to  address  the  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Lodge,  praying  for  their  consent,  approbation  and  assist- 
ance, to  found  and  erect  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  in 
this  place,  there  being  none  for  colored  men  this  side  of 
Mason  and  Dixon’s  Line.  We  hope  to  be  a great  help  to 
mankind.  Enclosed  find  fee  for  charter. 

“Fraternally  yours, 

(Signed)  John  W.  Prout, 

Francis  Datcher,  Sr., 
William  Jackson, 
William  C.  Costin, 

. William  Wormley. 

January  4th,  A.  D.  1825,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Prayer  granted  by  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  January  7th,  A.  D.  1825,  and  the  Lodge  duly 
chartered  and  constituted  June  6th,  A.  D.  1825,  under 
charter  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  as 
follows : 


Copy  of  the  Original  Charter. 

“to  all  and  every 

“True  and  Worshipful  Loving  Brother  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  throughout  the  world.  Greeting: 

“We,  Peter  Richmond,  Rt.  W.  Grand  Master:  Richard  Parker, 
Deputy  Grand  Master:  Thomas  Depee,  Grand  Senior  Warden; 
Prim  Clover,  Grand  Junior  Warden;  acting  formerly  under  a 


134 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


charter  received  from  Ye  Late  Serene  Highness,  Henry  Frederick, 
Duke  of  Cumberland,  then  Rt.  W.  Grand  Master  of  England,  held 
and  constituted  in  the  City  of  London,  but  now  declared  in  Grand 
Convention  assembled,  and  convened  at  our  Hall,  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  day  of  December  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  One  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifteen,  Grand  Officers  of  the  African  Inde- 
pendent Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the 
first  African  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America,  No.  1. 
instituted  by  Past  Master  only,  in  solemn  convention  assembled 
at  their  Hall  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  twenty-eighth  day 
of  December,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifteen.  Therefore,  be  it 
known  to  all  whom  it  may  concern;  that  we,  Peter  Richmond, 
Richard  Parker,  Thomas  Depee,  Prim  Clover,  Grand  Officers  ot 
the  aforesaid  African  Independent  Grand  Lodge  No.  1,  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  do,  by  the  power  invested  in  us, 
and  by  and  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  worthy  brethren 
present  in  Grand  Lodge  assembled  at  our  Hall,  on  the  sixth  day 
of  June  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
twenty-five,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  agreeably  to  the 
worthy  petitioners,  whose  petition  was  then  presented,  do  thereby 
nominate  and  appoint  our  trusty  and  beloved  Brethren:  John  W. 
Prout,  Francis  Datcher,  and  William  Jackson,  and  such  number 
of  Past  Masters  as  have  signed  said  petition  into  a regular  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  to  work  under  the  warrant  of  the 
aforesaid  Grand  Lodge  of  African  Independent  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  in  and  for  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  No.  1.  And  said  Subordinate  Lodge  for  whom 
this  warrant  was  granted,  and  on  the  sixth  day  of  June,  1825.  was 
constituted  by  us  in  Grand  Lodge  assembled  for  that  purpose, 
shall  be  known  under  the  title  and  denomination  of  Social  Lodge, 
No.  7 of  Washington,  D.  C.  And  be  it  known  that  all  other  war- 
rants drawn  out  for  the  government  of  said  Social  Lodge  of 
Washington,  D.  C.  No.  7,  prior  or  before  the  hereinafter  date  on 
which  this  present  warrant  shall  be  signed  by  us,  shall  become 
null  and  void,  whether  such  was  signed  by  us  or  not.  And  be  it 
known  to  all  it  may  concern,  that  on  the  aforesaid  Sixth  of  June, 
1825,  we,  aforesaid  Grand  Officers  did  nominate  and  appoint  our 
worthy  brothers,  John.W.  Prout.  Worshipful  Master;  Francis 
Datcher,  Senior  Warden;  and  William  Jackson,  Junior  Warden, 
to  open  and  govern  said  lawfully  warranted,  constituted  Lodge 
and  also  does  at  the  same  time  invest  said  officers,  for  the  time 
being,  with  power  to  appoint  their  several  officers  under  them, 
agreeable  to  their  By-Laws,  and  not  repugnant  or  contrary  to  the 
Constitution  of  the  Rt.  W.  African  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of 
North  America.  And  said  officers  appointed  by  the  aforesaid 
Grand  Lodge,  and  said  officers  appointed  by  said  Social  Lodge 
were  appointed  for  the  months  commencing  or  reckoning  from  the 
sixth  of  June,  for  six  months  following  and  no  longer,  except  re- 
elected. And  said  appointments  prior  to  the  end  of  six  months 
are  in  nowise  to  affect  any  future  election;  but  such  elections  shall 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  135 

be  regulated  agreeable  to  the  By-Laws  of  said  Social  Lodge,  No. 
7.  and  consistent  with  the  Articles,  By-Laws  and  Constitution  of 
the  Rt.  W.  African  Independent  Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America. 

“Furthermore,  it  is  required  and  demanded  by  the  aforesaid 
Grand  Lodge,  that  the  present  Master  and  all  Masters  of  Social 
Lodge  No.  7,  which  are  duly  elected  in  the  chair,  shall  take  special 
care  that  all  and  every  brother  already  enrolled,  and  who  may 
hereafter  be  enrolled  in  the  Social  Lodge  No.  7,  do  keep  all  and 
every  said  order,  and  orders,  rules  and  regulations  and  By-Laws 
of  Lodge  No.  7,  which  must  always  concur  in  and  be  coincident 
with  the  constitution  of  the  Rt.  W.  Grand  Lodge  whom  such  sub- 
ordinate Lodge  serve  under;  likewise  said  W.  Master  and  his  suc- 
cessors in  office  from  time  to  time,  must  cause  to  be  entered  in  a 
book  kept  for  tliat  purpose  an  account  of  all  the  proceedings  of 
Lodge  No.  7,  for  the  government  of  the  same,  and  in  nowise  must 
the  present  Master  or  his  successors  in  office  omit  twice  in  each 
and  every  year  to  transmit  to  the  Rt.  W.  A.  I.  Grand  Lodge,  a 
regular  account  of  such  proceedings,  if  so  required,  and  also  from 
time  to  time  such  sums  of  money  as  they  can  spare  or  as  are  de- 
manded by  suc-h  regulations,  rules  and  By-laws  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  as  they  may  call  for.  And  once  in  every  six  months  a list 
of  their  members  and  return  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  six 
months.” 

Granted,  the  Sixth  day  of  June,  Anno  Luci  5825. 

Anno  Christi,  1825.  Done  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  State 
of  Pennsylvania. 

Peter  Richmond,  M.  W.  Grand  Master; 

Richard  Parker,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Thomas  Depee,  Grand  Senior  Warden  ; 

Prim  Clover,  Grand  Junior  Warden. 


Seal 

of 

G.  I., 


Attest: 


James  G.  Johnson,  Grand  Secretary. 


Under  this  charter  the  officers  were  duly  installed  by 
the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  assisted  by  the  Right 
Worshipful  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Grand  Senior  Warden 
and  Grand  Junior  Warden,  June  6th,  1825,  under  the  title 
of  Social  Lodge,  No.  7,  F.  A.  A.  M/s,  working  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  M.  W.  African  Grand  Lodge  of  North 
America,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  The  first  officers  were  John 
W.  Prout,  W.  M. ; Francis  Datc-her,  Sr.,  S.  W. ; William 
Jackson,  J.  W. ; William  C.  Costin,  Secretary;  William 
Wormley,  S.  D. ; Lloyd  Nichols,  J.  D. 

Here  Social  Lodge  made  her  bow  to  the  Masonic  world, 
firmly  trusting  in  the  great  truths  as  laid  down  in  the 


136 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Great  Light  that  always  rests  upon  the  altar,  believing 
that  God  would  reveal  to  them  and  their  posterity  such 
truths  as  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe  may 
make  known  to  the  earnest  seeker. 

Starting  upon  Masonic  life  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
where,  for  two  hundred  years,  naught  had  been  heard  but 
the  groans  of  outraged  bondmen,  the  early  brethren,  in 
the  midst  of  the  dark  and  damning  curse  of  slavery,  with 
its  hissing  sounds  around  them,  yet  stood  undaunted,  prac- 
tising the  great  principles  of  the  time  honored  order. 
With  candles  in  their  pockets,  these  brethren  coirld  be 
seen  trudging  through  the  mud  and  water  to  their  lodge 
room  in  Clark’s  Row,  on  13th  street,  between  G and  H. 
and  later  on  at  14th  street,  between  C and  D streets, 
N.  W.  They  often  held  their  meetings  on  Sunday,  and 
at  other  times  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  they 
would  assemble  and  transact  their  business.  Although 
watched  by  the  slave  owners,  the}r  continued  their  work, 
elevating  themselves,  and  helping  their  fellow-men  to 
flee  to  free  States.  This  little  band  of  Freemasons  stood 
alone  under  the  old  dome  of  the  ISTation’s  Capitol  for 
twenty  years,  being  the  second  Masonic  Lodge  chartered 
south  of  Mason  and  Dixon’s  Line  among  colored  Ameri- 
cans. Their  business  was  secretly  kept,  which  made  the 
Lodge  unwelcome  to  the  slave  power  which  controlled 
the  city  at  that  time.  When  the  town  clock  would  ring 
out  the  hour  of  10  P.  M.  the  lights  were  quickly  extin- 
guished, and  the  implements  securely  put  away  until  an- 
other meeting. 

The  growth  of  the  Lodge  was  slow,  owing  to  the  sus- 
picions "of  the  slaveholders.  They  were  afraid  that  this 
little  band  of  Freemasons  would  encourage  their  slaves 
to  kill  them,  or  escape  to  the  free  States.  The  members 
were  often  pulled  before  Clements  F.  Coote,  Henrv 
Ad dis«n,  Joseph  W.  Beck  and  James  Crandell,  who  were 
Justices  of  the  Peace  at  that  time,  and  fined.  Notwith- 
standing these  persecutions,  they  continued  to  work. 
Having  unwavering  faith  in  God  and  abiding  faith  in 
justice,  which  enabled  them  to  look  to  the  future  not  only 
with  hope  and  confidence,  but  with  exultation,  they  felt 
that  freedom , though  crushed  to  earth,  would  rise  again. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  137 

‘‘The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers, 

But  error  wounded  writhes  in  pain, 

And  dies  among  his  worshippers.” 

Thus  the  early  brethren  of  Social  Lodge  lived  and 
worked  for  the  uplifting  of  their  fellow-men,  spreading 
the  great  principles  of  Freemasonry  among  the  Craft,  and 
shipping  the  runaway  slaves  to  the  free  States. 

William  Custis  Costin,  one  of  the  most  active  workers 
in  Social  Lodge,  was  born  at  Mount  Vernon,  Virginia,  in 
1780,  and  died  May  31st,  1842,  at  the  age  of  62  years. 
He  was  employed  as  porter  at  the  Bank  of  Washington 
for  twenty-four  years,  and  filled  this  position  faithfully 
and  creditably.  The  bank  officials  respected  him  for  his 
honest  and  manly  traits,  and  as  a mark  of  their  esteem 
unanimously  passed  a resolution  expressive  of  the  same. 

In  1835,  William  Dudley,  Benjamin  Crier  and  Sandy 
Bryant  were  made  Master  Masons  in  St.  George  Lodge, 
Vo.  32,  Liverpool,  England.  They  were  seafaring  men,  and 
in  1838  lived  in  Alexandria,  Va.  They  were  admitted 
as  members  of  Social  Lodge.  Shortly  afterwards  these 
three  Brethren,  with  Bev.  John  Thomas,  also  a member 
of  Social  Lodge,  and  living  in  the  same  town,  applied  to 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Daniel  Smith,  of  Hiram  Grand 
Lodge,  Pennsylvania,  for  a charter  to  establish  a Lodge 
in  their  city.  This  was  granted  them  August  26th,  1845. 

The  new  Lodge  was  known  as  Universal  Lodge,  Xo.  10, 
of  Alexandria,  Ara.  (which  was  the  first  Lodge  in  Vir- 
ginia), with  Bro.  George  Sims,  W.  M. ; Edward  Evans, 
S.  W. ; Dennis  Bourbon,  J.  W. ; James  Evans,  S.  D. ; 
Ephraim  Bancroft,  J.  D. ; Richard  Garnett,  Treasurer, 
and  Joseph  L.  Gipson,  Secretary;  Mr.  Dudley  and  Ben- 
jamin Crier,  Stewards,  and  Sanday  Bragrant,  Tiler. 

Felix  Lodge. — Early  in  the  year  of  1S46,  a meeting 
was  held  in  the  barber  shop  of  Augustus  and  John  T. 
Coston,  on  Pennsylvania  avenue,  near  Third  street,  X.  W. 
At  this  meeting  were  William  Dudley,  Benjamin  Crier. 
Daniel  Smith,  John  Thomas  and  William  H.  Bruce,  all 
of  Alexandria,  Va.  The  result  of  this  meeting  was  the 
forming  of  Felix  Lodge,  Xo.  17,  which  was  constituted 
April  4,  1846,  under  a charter  granted  by  Hiram  Grand 
Lodge  of  Penns}dvania,  with  Augustus  Costin,  W.  M. ; 


J 38  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Richard  H.  Phiske,  S.  W. ; John  Massey,  J.  TV.;  John 
T.  Costin,  Secretary;  Benjamin  Newton,  Treasurer;  Basil 
Sims,  S.  D.,  and  Charles  Hunt,  J.  D. 

Social  Lodge,  being  the  oldest  Lodge,  assumed  juris- 
diction and  supervision  of  the  Craft  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  until  the  27th  day  of  March,  1848,  when  a call 
was  made  for  a general  assembly  of  the  Craft  to  meet  at 
Masonic  Hall  to  form  a Grand,  Lodge  for  the  District 
of  Columbia.  This  call  was  issued  by  John  E.  Thomas, 


John  T.  Costin, 
Grand  Master.  184S. 


then  Master  of  Social  Lodge.  Under  this  call  Universal 
Lodge,  No.  10,  of  Alexandria,  and  Felix  Lodge.  No.  1'. 
met  Social  Lodge,  No.  7,  in  convention.  Rev.  David  P. 
Jones,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  presided,  with  John 
T.  Costin  as  Secretary.  Permanent  organization  of  a 
Grand  Lodge  was  consummated  by  unanimously  elect- 
ing Charles  C.  Datcher,  of  Social  Lodge,  No.  7,  M.  TV.  G. 
M. ; Daniel  JT.  Smith,  of  Universal  Lodge,  No.  10,  D.  G. 
M. ; Richard  Phiske,  of  Felix,  S.  G.  W. ; Francis  Datcher, 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J 39 

Jr.,  of  Social,  G.  J.  W. ; Joseph  Frazier,  of  Universal,  G. 
Treasurer,  and  John  T.  Costin,  of  Felix,  G.  Secretary. 
The  Grand  Master  appointed  the  following  officers  for  the 
Masonic  year : Rev.  Philip  Hamilton,  G.  Chaplain  ; D.  G. 

Harris,  S.  G.  D. ; Dennis  Bourbon,  J.  G.  D. ; William 
Hicks,  S.  G. ; Stewart  Benjamin  Newton,  J.  G. ; Stewart 
Clements  Beckett,  G.  Pursuivant;  John  Evans,  G.  Tiler. 
The  grand  officers  were  duly  installed  by  R.  W.  Rev. 
David  P.  Jones,  D.  D.  G.  M.,  under  the  title  of  Union 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  March  27th, 
1848.  The  three  Lodges  surrendered  theii  old  warrant 
and  took  out  warrants  under  the  said  Grand  Lodge  as 
follows : 


CHARTER. 

“To  All  and  Every  True  and  Worshipful  Loving  Brother  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Ancient  Masons  comes  Greeting:  Know  ye 

that  by  a convention  held  by  three  Regular  Warranted  Lodges 
on  the  4th  of  March,  1848,  according  to  the  most  ancient  form  of 
Ancient  Masons  do  by  the  Power  and  Authority  vested  in  us  form 
a M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  Charles  C. 
Batcher,  Grand  Master;  Richard  Fisk,  Grand  Senior  Warden; 
Francis  Batcher,  Jr.,  Grand  Junior  Warden. 

“Therefore  be  it  known  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  the 
said  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  of  the  most 
honorable  and  ancient  fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
According  to  the  old  institution  duly  established,  constituted,  and 
organized  for  the  said  District,  according  to  the  Resolutions  and 
by  the  authority  of  a Grand  Convention  held  at  our  Hall  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  on  the  4th  Day  of  April,  1848.  year  of  Ma- 
sonry 5848,  do  hereby  constitute  and  appoint  our  Trusty  and  well 
beloved  Brethren  John  E.  Thomas,  Worshipful  Master;  Henry 
Dade,  Senior  ard'  > and  Jesse  H.  Hyatt.  Junior  Warden;  of  So- 
cial Lodge  No.  1,  to  be  held  in  the  District  of  Columbia;  and  we 
do  hereby  authorize  and  empower  our  said  Trusty  and  well  be- 
loved Brethren  to  hold  their  Lodge  at  the  place  directed  and  ap- 
pointed, at  such  time  as  they  shall  think  necessary  and  convenient, 
and  according  to  the  Constitution  of  Masonry;  and  to  admit  and 
make  Freemasons,  according  to  the  most  ancient  and  honorable 
custom  of  the  Royal  Craft  in  all  ages  and  nations  throughout  the 
known  world,  and  not  contrariwise. 

“And  we  furthermore  authorize  and  empower  our  said  Brethren 
and  their  successors  to  hear  and  determine  all  and  singular  mat- 
ters and  things  relating  to  the  Craft  vithin  the  Jurisdiction  of 
said  Lodge  number. — And  lastly,  we  do  hereby  authorize  and  em- 


140 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


power  our  said  Trusty  and  well-beloved  Brethren  John  E. 
Thomas,  Henry  Dade,  and  J.  H.  Hyatt,  to  nominate  and  install 
their  successors  to  whom  they  shall  deliver  the  warrant  and  invest 
them  with  all  their  power  and  dignities  as  Freemasons.  And 
such  successors  shall  in  like  manner,  nominate  and  install  their 
successors  and  such  installation  to  be  upon  St.  John’s  the  Evange- 
list’s Day,  during  the  continuance  of  the  Lodge  forever,  provided, 
always,  that  the  above  named  Brethren  and  their  successors  pay 
due  respect  to  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  from  whom  they  received  their  authority,  otherwise 
this  warrant  to  be  of  no  Force  or  Virtue. 

(Signed)  Charles  Dateher,  Grand  Master; 

Daniel  Smith,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 

Seal  Richard  Phiske,  Senior  Grand  Warden  ; 
of  Francis  Dateher,  Jr.,  Junior  Grand  Warden; 

G.  I,-  Joseph  Frazier,  Grand  Treasurer; 

John  Costin,  Grand  Secretary. 


The  Grand  Lodge  since  organization  has  held  its  regu- 
lar communications,  erected  and  erased  Lodges,  compelled 
obedience  of  members,  and  doing  all  things  that  are  proper 
for  a Masonic  Grand  Lodge,  holding  supreme  jurisdiction 
within  its  Masonic  territory,  and  ‘has  chartered  Lodges 
as  follows: 


No.  1.  Social  Lodge  Rechartered,  March  27.  1848. 

No.  2.  Universal  Lodge  Rechartered,  March  27,  1848. 

No.  3.  Felix  Lodge,  Rechartered  March  27.  1848. 

No.  4.  Hiram  Lodge  Chartered,  June  22,  1851. 

No.  5.  Eureka  Lodge  Chartered,  October  2G,  1858. 

No.  6.  Meridian  Lodge  Chartered,  April  19.  1SG9. 

No.  7.  Widow’s  Son  Lodge,  Chartered  November  10,  1S71. 
No.  8.  Warren  Lodge  Rechartered,  December  27.  1S71. 

No.  9.  Pythagoras  Lodge,  Rechartered,  December  27.  1871. 
Iso.  10.  John  F.  Cook  Lodge  Chartered,  April  10.  1873. 

No.  11.  Sprig  of  Acacia  Lodge,  Chartered,  June  29.  1874. 

No.  12.  St.  John’s  Lodge,  Chartered.  July  24.  1889. 

No.  14.  Prince  Hall  Lodge,  Chartered,  July  19,  1894. 

No.  15.  Charles  Dateher  Lodge,  Chartered,  January  17,  1900. 

Universal  Lodge,  No.  2,  the  first  Lodge  organized  in 
Virginia,  and  located  at  Alexandria,  surrendered  its 
charter  and  joined  in  the  convention  to  form  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Virginia,  October  29th,  1865.  Sprig  of  Acacia, 
No.  11,  surrendered  its  charter  March  11th,  1885,  members 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  1 41 

joining  other  Lodges,  leaving  twelve  Lodges  upon  the  rolls 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

There  are  only  two  Grand  Lodges  upon  the  American 
Continent  among  colored  Masons  that  are  the  seniors  to 
the  District  Grand  Lodge,  these  being  Prince  Hall  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  and  African  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  Grand  Lodges  of  all  the  States  have 
been  formed  since  the  organization  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  Grand  Lodge.  There  have  been  held  regular 
communications  from  1848  to  the  present  without  a break 
in  its  history.  There  have  been  established  every  de- 
partment of  Masonry  known,  viz.,  the  Capitular,  Cryptic, 
and  Chivalric,  the  Scottish  Rite,  the  Adopted  Rite  or 
Ladies’  Degree,  and  the  Xobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  and 
Masonic  Relief  and  Building  Association,  and  it  is  in 
fraternal  correspondence  with  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  Ireland,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Continental 
Europe,  Egypt,  Liberia,  Australia,  Havti,  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  of  West  Indies,  Mexico,  South  America, 
Xova  Scotia  and  Canada,  and  its  proceedings  are  in  the 
libraries  of  all  the  white  Grand  Lodges  of  Massachusetts, 
Maine,  Iowa.  Ohio,  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  Hew  York, 
Rhode  Island  and  others.  It  exchanges  grand  representa- 
tion with  thirty-six  Grand  Lodges  in  the  Lhiitecl  States; 
with  Africa,  and  the  Province  of  Ontario,  and  has  recog- 
nition at  the  Grand  East  of  the  world,  and  fraternal  rela- 
tions throughout  the  Masonic  family.  During  its  exist- 
ence twenty-seven  of  its  most  eminent  members  have 
served  as  Grand  Masters,  commencing  in  1848,  as  follows : 

PAST  GRAND  MASTERS. 


1.  Charles  Datcher 1848 

2.  John  T.  Costin  1849 

3.  Richard  Phiske  1850 

4.  Robert  Robinson  1851 

5.  Charles  Datcher  1853 

5.  Francis  Datcher,  Jr 1854 

6.  Charles  Hunt  1855 

7.  Ananias  Herbert  1856 

8.  Carter  A.  Stewart  1S57 

9.  Edward  Evans  1858 

— Carter  A.  Stewart  1859 


142  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

10.  Wm.  Anderson  1860 

11.  Edward  M.  Thomas  1861 

12.  Adolphus  Hall  1862 

13.  William  Tunnia  1863 

14.  Robert  H.  Booker  1864 

15.  W.  H.  Thomas  1865 

16.  John  F.  Cook  1866 

John  F.  Cook  1867 

John  F.  Cook  1868 

John  F.  Cook  1869 

John  F.  Cook  1870 

John  F.  Cook  1871 

John  F.  Cook  1872 

John  F.  Cook  1873 

17.  William  H.  Myers  1874 

18.  William  A.  Taliafero  1875 

John  F.  Cook  '...1876 

John  F.  Cook  1877 

19.  George  W.  Brooks  1878 

20.  Leonard  C.  Bailey  1879 

21.  Charles  C.  C.  Johnson  1882 

22.  S.  Roger  Watts  1884 

23.  John  H.  Lee  1887 

24.  Charles  H.  Lemos  1890 

25.  Henry  Coleman  1893 

26.  Hamilton  S.  Smith  1896 

27.  John  H.  Burrill  1898 

28.  Prof.  Robert  H.  Terrell  1899 

Prof.  Robert  H.  Terrell  1900 

Prof.  Robert  H.  Terrell  1901 

Prof.  Robert  H.  Terrell  1902 

Past  Grand  Secretaries. — Past  Grand  Secretarie 
were  as  follows: 

1848  .John  T.  Costin.  1863  John  F.  Cook. 

1849  Ananias  Herbert  1864  Wm.  A.  Taliafero. 

1850  Ananias  Herbert.  1865  Solomon  G.  Brown. 

1851  William  Ford.  1866  Solomon  G.  Brown. 

1852  Francis  Datcher.  1867  Solomon  G.  Brown. 

1853  Francis  Datcher.  1868  Wm.  H.  Myers. 

1854  Robert  S.  Summerville.  1869  Carter  A.  Stewart. 

1855  Andrew  B.  Tinney.  1870  Carter  A.  Stewart. 

1856  John  M.  Brown.  1871  Carter  A.  Stewart. 

1857  Samuel  J.  Datcher.  1872  John  G.  Goines. 

1858  Edward  A.  Watson.  1873  John  G.  Domes. 

1859  Edward  A.  Watson.  1S74  Wm.  P.  Ryder. 

1860  John  F.  Cook.  1875  John  F.  N.  Wilkinson. 

1861  John  F.  Cook.  1876  John  F.  N.  Wilkinson. 

1862  Edward  M.  Thomas.  1S77  John  F.  N.  Wilkinson. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  143 


1878  John  F.  N.  Wilkinson. 

1879  John  F.  N.  Wilkinson. 

1880  William  H.  Myers. 

1881  William  H.  Myers. 

1882  William  H.  Myers. 

1883  William  H.  Myers. 

1884  William  H.  Myers. 

1885  William  H.  Myers. 

1886  William  H.  Myers. 

1887  William  H.  Myers. 

1888  William  H.  Myers. 

1889  William  H.  Myers. 


1890  William  H.  Myers. 

1891  William  H.  Myers. 

1892  William  H.  Myers. 

1893  William  H.  Myers. 

1894  William  H.  Myers. 

1895  William  H.  Myers. 
1S96  William  H.  Myers. 

1897  William  H.  Myers. 

1898  William  H.  Myers. 

1899  William  H.  Myers. 

1900  William  H.  Myers. 

1901  William  H.  Myers. 


Committee  on  Fiftieth  Anniversary. — The  Grand 
Master,  on  the  15th  day  of  December,  1897,  appointed 
P.  G.  M.  Richard  H.  Cleaves,  P.  G.  M.  W.  H.  Myers, 
P.  G.  M.  S.  Roger  Watts,  P.  G.  M.  John  W.  Mays  and 
P.  S.  G.  W.  Samuel  H.  West  to  make  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements for  the  celebration  of  the  fiftieth  j^ear  of  its 
existence 

The  Craft  assembled  March  27th,  1898,  in  the  Metro- 
politan A.  M.  E.  Church,  in  full  Masonic  dress,  where 
a sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  and  Bro.  J.  Albert 
Johnson,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  said  church.  Every  department 
of  Freemasonry  turned  out,  the  Grand  Master  and  many 
brethren  from  Maryland  joining  in  the  service.  Addresses 
were  delivered  by  the  following:  M.  W.  John  H.  Burrill, 

G.  M. ; M.  W.  William  H.  Myers,  G.  S. ; P.  G.  M.  S.  Roger 
Watts ; Grand  High  Priest  Samuel  H.  West ; Grand  Com- 
mander Lewis  H.  Wayne;  M.  P.  G.  Commander  Thornton 
A.  Jackson;  E.  G.  P.  William  H.  Stevenson;  P.  G.  M. 
Henry  Coleman;  P.  M.  William  H.  Bruce;  P.  M.  James 
0.  Bampfield;  P.  G.  M.  Richard  H.  Gleaves,  and  P.  G.  M. 
Lemuel  C.  Bailey. 

Subordinate  Lodges  in  District  of  Columbia. — Date 
of  charter  and  list  of  officers: 

Social  Lodge,  No.  7,  now  No.  1,  chartered  and  consti- 
tuted by  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  June  6th, 
1825,  A.  L.  5825,  with  the  following  officers: 

W.  M.  John  W.  Trout,  Treasurer,  Moses  Liverpool, 

S.  W.  Francis  Datcher,  Secretary.  William  C.  Costin, 

J.  W.  William  Jackson,  S.  D.  William  Worrnley, 

J.  D.  Lloyd  Nichols. 


144 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Felix  Lodge,  ISTo.  17,  now  jST o.  3,  chartered  and  consti- 
tuted by  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  April  4th, 
1846,  A.  L.  5846,  with  the  following  officers: 

W.  M.  Augustus  Costin,  See’y-  John  T.  Costin, 

S.  W.  Richard  H.  Phiske,  Treas.  Benj.  Newton, 

J.  IV.  John  Massey,  S.  D.  Bazel  Sims, 

J.  D.  Charles  Hunt. 

Hiram  Lodge,  No.  4,  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  chartered  and 
constituted  June  22d,  1851,  A.  L.  5851,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  with  the  following 
officers : 


Clement  Beckett,  W.  M.  John  Carnel,  S.  W. 

William  Beckett,  J.  W. 

Eureka  Lodge,  No.  5,  chartered  and  constituted  Octo- 
ber 26th,  1858,  A.  L.  5858,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  with  the  following  officers: 

Edward  M.  Thomas,  W.  M.  James  H.  A.  Schurman,  S.  W. 
Edward  A.  Watson,  J.  W. 

Warren  Lodge,  No.  8,  chartered  and  constituted  Novem- 
ber 10th,  1867,  A.  L.  5867,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary- 
land, with  the  following  officers : 

James  Thomas.  W.  M.  John  H.  Mitchell,  S.  W. 

Meridian  Lodge,  No.  6,  chartered  and  constituted  April 
19th,  1869,  A.  L.  5869,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  with  the  following  officers : 

William  H.  Myers,  W.  M.  Nathan  Addison,  S.  W. 

Arthur  Payne,  J.  W. 

Widow’s  Son  Lodge,  No.  7,  chartered  and  constituted 
November  10th.  1871,  A.  L.  5871,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  with  the  following  officers: 


John  W.  Heard.  W.  M. 
Mason  S.  Lameny,  S.  W. 
J.  W.  Jackson,  J.  W. 
Joseph  N.  Williams,  S.  D. 
Benj.  F.  Daily,  J.  D. 


Win.  F.  Lee,  Secy. 

Robert  Williams,  Chaplain. 
Wm.  Harris,  S.  Steward. 
Geo.  Jackson.  J.  Steward. 
Wm.  Smith,  Tiler. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  \ 45 


Pythagoras  Lodge,  Xo.  12,  chartered  and  constituted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  June  5th,  1871,  A.  L.  5871, 
with  the  following  officers : 


R.  W.  Thornton  A.  Jackson,  W.  M.  Thomas  Hicks,  Secretary. 
A.  W.  Tucker,  S.  W.  Wellington  Taylor,  Treas. 

A.  W.  Tancil,  J.  W.  Robert  Armstead,  S.  D. 

John  H.  Smith,  J.  W. 

All  of  the  members  were  from  Warren  Lodge,  Ho.  9. 

John  F.  Cook  Lodge,  Xo.  10,  chartered  and  constituted 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  April 
10th,  1873,  A.  L.  5873,  with  the  following  officers: 

R.  W.  Richard  J.  Collins,  W.  M.  George  H.  Lee,  Secretary. 
Isaac  Unckles,  S.  W.  Barnard  McClintoek,  S.  D. 

William  H.  White,  J.  W.  Philip  Green,  J.  D. 

Joseph  Harris,  Treasurer.  Anthony  Coates,  S.  S. 

Thomas  Payne,  J.  S. 


Sprig  of  Acacia  Lodge,  Xo.  11,  chartered  and  constituted 
at  Hillsdale,  D.  C.,  August  28th,  1874,  A.  L.  5874,  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  with  the  follow- 
ing officers  : 


R.  W.  John  A.  Green,  W.  M. 
Wm.  Green,  S.  W. 

Wm.  H.  Robinson,  J.  W. 
Solomon  G.  Brown,  Secretary. 
Gabriel  H.  Green,  Treasurer. 


Thomas  M.  W.  Green,  S.  D. 
Albert  Moten,  J.  D. 

Albert  Hawkins,  S.  Steward, 
Isaac  Diggs,  J.  Steward. 
David  W.  Hickman,  Tiler. 


St.  John’s  Lodge,  Xo.  12,  chartered  and  constituted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  July  24th, 
1885,  A.  L.  5885,  with  the  following  officers : 


R.  W.  Wm.  H.  A.  Young,  W.  M.  H.  W.  Hamilton,  Secretary. 
Nathaniel  Robinson,  S.  W.  Wm.  Hill,  S.  D. 

A.  B.  Winslow,  J.  W.  Wm.  Sewall,  J.  D. 

J.  R.  Tubman,  Treasurer.  Ferdinand  Ryals,  Tiler. 


Prince  Hall  Lodge,  Xo.  14,  chartered  and  constituted 
by  . the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  July 
19th,  1894,  A.  L.  5894,  with  the  following  officers: 


146 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


R.  W.  Jerome  A.  Johnson,  W.  M. 
Jas.  A.  McDuffee,  S.  W. 

J.  Prank  Boston,  J.  W. 

Clifton  A.  Johnson,  Treasurer. 

Charles  Datcher  Lodge,  No. 
tuted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
January  17th,  1900,  with  the 

R.  W.  James  W.  Thompson,  W.  M 
Samuel  T.  Craig,  S.  W. 

William  S.  Fulton,  J.  W. 

John  Becknith,  Treasurer. 
Alexander  F.  Hicks,  Secretary. 

Samuel 


Geo.  W.  Dickey,  Secretary. 
Byron  S.  Fisher,  S.  D. 
Samuel  B.  Jackson.  J.  D. 

A.  Lincoln  Brown,  Tiler. 

15,  chartered  and  eonsti- 
the  District  of  Columbia, 
following  officers: 

. James  W.  Harris,  Chaplain. 
W.  Collins,  S.  D. 

Mathew  M.  Taylor,  J.  D. 
John  T.  Simmons,  S.  S. 
Henry  Simmons,  J.  S. 

;rry,  Tiler. 


EARLY  MEMBERS  OF  SOCIAL  LODGE. 
Marked  thus  * made  in  England. 


1.  John  W.  Prout, 

2.  Francis  Datcher,  Sr. 

3.  William  Jackson, 

4.  William  C.  Costin, 

5.  William  Wormley, 

6.  Lloyd  Nichols, 

7.  John  Wooland, 

8.  George  Hicks, 

9.  Charles  Stewart, 

10.  William  A.  Nichols, 

11.  John  Randig,* 

12.  James  Harris, 

13.  Edward  Maddox,* 

14.  Nicholas  Franklin, 

15.  Joshua  Waters, 

16.  Charles  I>.  Harris, 

17.  George  Bell, 

18.  Albert  H.  Holly, 

19.  Robert  H.  Teel, 

20.  Richard  Wallace, 

21.  Moses  Liverpool, 

22.  William  T.  Richardson, 

23.  George  S.  Jackson, 

24.  William  T.  Harris, 

25.  George  Coggins,* 

26.  S.  L.  Smoot, 

27.  Joseph  Price,* 

28.  Daniel  McGruder, 

29.  Hamilton  Savage, 


30.  Benj.  Parrum, 

31.  Bazil  Sims, 

32.  James  Wright, 

33.  Robert  Jackson, 

34.  A.  Diggs, 

35.  Frederick  Lewis, 

36.  Joseph  W.  Smith, 

37.  Lewis  Hennedy, 

38.  James  Roberts, 

39.  William  Burly, 

40.  James  H.  Fleet, 

41.  William  V.  Grant, 

42.  Charles  Hall, 

43.  William  Thomas  Lee, 

44.  Peter  Nicholson, 

45.  John  Brown,  Sr. 

46.  Robert  Johnson, 

47.  Henry  Lucas, 

48.  Henry  Williams, 

49.  William  Moovis,* 

50.  John  A.  Mitchell, 

51.  John  T.  Kenney, 

52.  Dennis  Hackett, 

53.  William  Dudley,* 

54.  Thomas  Thomas, 

55.  Francis  Datcher,  Jr., 

56.  Charles  Datcher, 

57.  Sandy  Bryant,* 

58.  Benj.  Crier.* 


Records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  D.  C.  from  1S48 — 1902, 
Records  of  Lodges  1825  to  1902, 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J47 


OFFICERS  OF  SOCIAL  LODGE. 


Charles  D.  Freeman,  W.  M. 


R.  W.  Tompkins,  S.  W., 
Benjamin  Herbert,  S.  D., 

Geo.  M.  Webster,  Secretary, 
Fred  T.  Webster,  S.  M.  C„ 

Eugene  P, 


W.  Bruce  Evans,  J.  W., 
Chas.  Stevenson,  Treasurer, 
Henry  D.  Pryor,  J.  D., 

W.  E.  Jones,  J.  M.  C„ 
Minor,  Tyler. 


PAST  MASTERS  OF  SOCIAL  LODGE,  NO.  1,  F.  A.  A.  M., 


In  order  of  service,  from  June  6,  1825,  to  1901. 


R.  W„ 

Bro. 

John  W.  Prout 

. . From  1825  to 

1837 

a 

ti 

Francis  Datcher,  Sr.  . . . 

1837 

1839 

“ 

it 

William  Jackson  

1839 

1840 

a 

tt 

William  C.  Costin  

1840 

1S42 

a 

tt 

William  Wormley  

1842 

1843 

a 

it 

Lloyd  Nichols  

1843 

1844 

it 

tt 

Charles  Datcher 

1844 

1846 

it 

ti 

Francis  Datcher,  Jr 

1846 

1847 

a 

ti 

John  E.  Thomas  

1847 

1854 

tt 

it 

Thomas  Tascoe  

1854 

1857 

a 

it 

Thomas  Brown 

1858 

a 

it 

Joseph  Smallwood  

1858 

1859 

a 

it 

John  M.  Brown  

1859 

1861 

a 

ti 

David  Fischer  

1861 

1862 

a 

it 

Thomas  Tascoe 

1862 

1863 

a 

it 

Charles  Datcher 

1863 

1865 

it 

it 

John  Battle  

1865 

1868 

tt 

ii 

Albert  Parker  

1868 

1869 

it 

ti 

John  T.  Lucas 

1869 

1871 

a 

it 

Mark  M.  Bell  

1871 

1872 

tt 

it 

William  E.  Dandridge  . 

1872 

1873 

a 

it 

John  W.  Freeman  

1873 

1874 

it 

it 

William  H.  Grimshaw  . . 

1874 

1875 

a 

it 

George  M.  Webster  .... 

1875 

1876 

it 

tt 

John  A.  Gray  

1876 

1877 

tt 

it 

William  W.  Grymes  . . . 

1879 

it 

it 

Henry  Coleman  

1879 

1881 

it 

it 

S.  A.  W.  Simms  

1881 

1882 

it 

tt 

Charles  H.  Lemos  

1882 

1883 

a 

it 

S.  A.  W.  Simms 

1883 

1884 

it 

ii 

Arthur  Simmons  

1884 

1886 

<6 

it 

George  W.  Simms 

1886 

1887 

ti 

it 

H.  M.  Armistead  

1887 

1889 

it 

ii 

J.  H.  B.  Thorne 

1889 

1890 

it 

ii 

Charles  Stevenson  

1890 

1891 

it 

it 

William  F.  Thomas  . . . . 

1S91 

1892 

it 

it 

Charles  Stevenson  

1892 

1894 

a 

it 

H.  M.  Bailey  

1894 

1895 

a 

it 

George  E.  Grice 

1895 

1896 

it 

tt 

B.  L.  Gaines  .......... 

. . 1896 

189§ 

H8  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


R.  W.  Bro,  H.  M.  Bailey  ....From  1898  to  1899 

“ “ W.  H.  J.  Malvin 1899  1901 

“ “ R.  W.  Tkompkius  1901  1902 


SECRETARIES  OF  SOCIAL  LODGE,  1825—1902. 


William  C.  Costin... 
Francis  Batcher,  Sr. 

John  Raudig  

Francis  Batcher,  Jr. 
John  M.  Brown  .... 
Solomon  G.  Brown  . 
Joseph  T.  Mason  . . 
William  Grimes 
John  M.  Washington 
George  Forrister  . . . 

John  Battle  

Julius  Grice  

George  M.  Webster 
Fred  Fowler  


From  1825  to 

1839 

1889 

1846 

1849 

1847 

1847 

1854 

1854 

1855 

1855 

1860 

1860 

1862 

1862 

1865 

1865 

1868 

1868 

1869 

1869 

1875 

. 1875 

1879 

1879 

1902 

1902 

Life  of  Brother  John  F.  Cook,  16th  Grakd  Master 
of  the  District  of  Columbia. — Most  Worshipful  Brother 
John  F.  Cook,  the  16th  Grand  Master  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  was  born  in  the  City  of  Washington,  D. 
C.,  September  22d,  1833.  At  quite  an  early  age  he 
entered  the  school  taught  by  his  father,  the  late  Rev. 
John  F.  Cook,  which  was  located  at  the  corner  of  Four- 
teenth and  H Streets,  UST.  W.,  on  the  site  where  now 
stands  the  St.  Louis  Hotel.  In  September.  1849,  Mr. 
Cook  entered  the  Central  College,  Hew  York,  where 
he  remained  until  April,  1853.  when  he  was  matriculated 
in  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  as  a sophomore.  He  remained 
in  college  until  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred 
March  24th,  1855.  Returning  home  he  immediately  as- 
sumed charge  of  the  school  recently  taught  by  his  father, 
in  which  work  he  continued  for  two  years,  when  he  gave 
up  the  school  to  his  brother  George  and  went  to  Chieago, 
111.,  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  the  lumber  trade,  at 
that  time  one  of  the  greatest  industries  of  the  middle 
west.  Finding  all  business  practically  at  a standstill 
because  of  the  great  financial  panic  of  1857,  he  went  to 
New  Orleans,  La.,  and  opened  a school  for  the  education 
of  free  colored  people,  in  which  school  he  taught  success- 
fully until  the  mutterings  of  the  approaching  civil  war 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  149 

admonished  him  to  return  home.  On  reaching  the  city 
of  his  nativity  lie  again  resumed  his  school  work  on  the 
site  where  now  stands  his  palatial  residence.  In  this 
work  he  continued  until  July,  1867,  when  he  accepted  a 
clerkship  in  the  office  of  the  Collector  of  Taxes  for  the 
City  of  Washington,  being  the  first  colored  man  ever  ap- 
pointed or  elected  to  office  under  the  city  authorities. 


John  F.  Cook, 

Sixteenth  Grand  Master. 

In  June,  1868,  Mr.  Cook  was  elected  by  a large  majority 
to  represent  the  First  Ward  of  the  city  in  the  Board  of 
Aldermen.  In  June,  1869,  he  resigned  from  the  Board  to 
enter  upon  the  duties  of  Register  of  the  City,  to  which 
position  he  had  recently  been  elected  by  a handsome 
majority.  He  continued  in  this  position  until  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  service,  when  he  was  appointed  Register 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  under  the  new  Territorial 


J 50 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Government  created  by  act  of  Congress.  The  affairs  of 
the  office  were  so  satisfactorily  administered  by  Mr.  Cook 
that  on  July  20th,  1874,  he  was  appointed  to  the  more 
responsible  position  of  Collector  of  Taxes  for  the  District 
of  Columbia,  which  office  he  held  until  April  30th,  1888, 
when  he  was  removed  for  political  reasons  only,  and  a Dem- 
ocrat appointed  to  the  office.  During  Mr.  Cook’s  admin- 
istration there  passed  directly  through  his  hands  nearly 
fifty-six  millions  of  dollars,  and  to  his  everlasting  honor 
and  credit,  and.  the  honor  and  credit  of  the  race  he  so 
ably  represented,  be  it  said  that  at  the  close  of  his  four- 
teen years  of  service  every  dollar  he  had  collected  had 
been  properly  accounted  for. 

Mr.  Cook  was  elected  a delegate  to  represent  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  at  the  convention  that  nominated  Grant 
and  Wilson,  and  again  elected  to  the  convention  that  nomi- 
nated Garfield  and  Arthur.  In  November,  1875,  Mr. 
Cook  was  elected  a member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Howard  University  and  later  a member  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  said  Board,  in  which  position  he  still  con- 
tinues. He  is,  and  has  been  for  a number  of  years,  a mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Children’s  Guardians,  and  has  been  un- 
tiring in  his  efforts  to  elevate  to  a higher  moral  and  intel- 
lectual standard,  the  unfortunate  beings  under  his  control. 

Many  unfortunate  sufferers  can  testify  as  to  Mr.  Cook’s 
charity  and  liberality  although  his  motto  has  ever  been  not 
to  do  “alms  before  men  to  be  seen  of  them.” 

In  1859  he  was  initiated  in  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  5. 
F.  A.  A.  M.  At  this  time  the  Lodge  was  only  a year  old, 
having  been  established  October  26th.  1858.  by  Grand  Mas- 
ter Edward  Evans.  His  ability  and  noble  traits  of  char- 
acter especially  fitted  him  for  his  Masonic  duties.  He  was 
elected  to  all  the  stations,  not  only  in  his  Lodge,  but  the 
Grand  Lodge  as  well.  He  succeeded  M.  W.  Brother  Wil- 
liam H.  Thomas  as  M.  W.  Grand  Master.  December  27th, 
1866,  and  held  that  office  from  1866  to  1874.  He  was 
again  elected  to  serve  during  1876  and  1877.  There  were 
only  five  Lodges  in  the  District  of  Columbia  when  he 
first  became  Grand  Master,  but  through  his  wise  and 
consummate  diplomacy  the  following  Lodges  were  added 
to  the  register  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  Meridian  Lodge, 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  J 51 

November  6th,  1869;  Widow’s  Son  Lodge,  No.  7,  1871; 
Warren  Lodge,  No.  8,  1871 ; Pythagoras  Lodge, 

No.  9,  1871;  John  F.  Cook  Lodge,  No.  10,  1872, 
and  Sprig  of  Acacia  Lodge,  No.  11,  1874.  Lender  his 
guidance  the  Grand  Lodge  severed  its  relations  with  the 
National  Grand  Lodge  in  1871.  The  results  gained  were: 
Fraternal  relations  with  the  Grand  Lodges  throughout  the 
east,  west  and  south,  and  a united  jurisdiction. 

This  was  no  easy  triumph,  as  conservative  Craftsmen 
stood  in  the  way  and  contested  step  by  step,  but  he  threw 
his  whole  soul  into  the  work,  and  with  vigilance  and 
earnestness  of  purpose  carried  conviction  to  those  who  op- 
posed his  measures. 

His  great  zeal  and  influence  were  cast  on  the  side  of  uni- 
versal Masonry  and  the  uplifting  of  the  Craft  over  which 
he  had  the  honor  of  presiding.  Indeed,  it  may  be  said 
of  him  in  State  as  well  as  in  Masonry,  that  few  men 
have  done  more  work  and  fewer  still  have  done  it  so  well. 

He  is  highly  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  know 
or  know  of  him,  without  regard  to  race  connections,  and 
he  enjoys  the  full  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens wherever  he  is  known. 

Lodges  Organized  and  by  Whom  Chartered. — Free- 
masonry in  the  District  of  Columbia  has  direct  descent 
from  the  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  England, 
through  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass.,  1784, 
who  chartered  African  Lodge,  No.  459,  of  North  America, 
of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1797.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania was  organized  in  1815. 


Name  of  Lodge, 


1825 

1845 

1846 
1851 
1858 
1867 
1869 
1871 
1871 

1873 

1874 
1889 
1894 
1900 


Social  Lodge 

Universal  Lodge 

Felix  Lodge 

Hiram  Lodge 

Eureka  Lodge 

Warren  Lodge 

Meridian  Lodge 

Widow’s  Son  Lodge. . 

Pythagoras  Lodge 

John  F.  Cook  Lodge. . 
Sprig  of  Acacia  Lodge 

St.  John’s  Lodge 

Prince  Hall  Lodge 

Charles  Datcher 


6 

£ 

Located. 

Date  of 
Original 
Charter. 

Chartered  From. 

i 

Disk  of  Col 

June  6. . . 

African  G.  L.,  Phila..Pa. 

2 

Alexandria,  Ya. 

Aug.  26. . 

'Hiram  G.  L.,Phila..  Pa. 

3 

Dist.  of  Col 

April  4 . . . 

Hiram  G.  L.,  Phila.,  Pa. 

4 

tl 

June  22. 

G.  I,..  Dist.  of  Col. 

5 

it 

Oct.  26. . . 

G.  L.,  Dist.  of  Col. 

8 

tt 

Nov.  10.. . 

G.  L.,  Maryland. 

6 

it 

G.  L.,  Dist.  of  Col. 

7 

it 

Nov.  10... 

G.  L..  Dist.  of  C'oL 

9 

it 

June  5. . . 

G.  L.,  Maryland. 

10 

tv 

April  10.. 

G.  L.,  Dist.  of  Col. 

11 

it 

June  20. . 

“ “ 41 

12 

tl 

July  24. . . 

tl  It  tl 

14 

July  19... 

li  tl  tl 

15 

Jan.  17... 

It  li  It 

J52 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XY. 

EOYAL  ARCH  MASONRY  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

Mount  Vernon  Chapter,  Xo.  4,  now  Xo.  1,  was  or- 
ganized September  1st,  1850,  and  chartered  by  African 
Grand  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania,  with  Companion  John  A. 
Gray  as  High  Priest;  Companion  Charles  Hunt,  King; 
Companion  William  H.  Thomas,  Scribe ; Companion  Dan- 
iel Wallace,  Treasurer;  Companion  C.  C.  Johnson,  Captain 
of  the  Host ; Companion  Robert  H.  Summerville,  P.  S. ; 
Companion  William  Id.  Edinburg,  3d  Y. ; Companion 
John  II.  Sims,  2d  V.;  Companion  Edw.  L.  Savoy,  Sr.,  1st 
V.,  and  Companion  Edward  Thomas,  Guard. 

The  officers  were  duly  installed  by  Grand  Officers  Jacob 
Jenkins,  M.  E.  G.  H.  P. ; David  Leary,  M.  E.  G.  King ; 
William  Cooper,  M.  E.  G.  Scribe  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
Pennsylvania.  A Chapter  room  was  fitted  up  by  Compan- 
ion John  A.  Gray,  H.  P..  at  Patterson  Hall,  Fifteenth 
Street,  between  L and  M Streets,  X.  W.,  where  the  Chap- 
ter met  for  many  years.  This  Chapter  continued  under  the 
first  Independent  African  Grand  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania, 
until  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland  was  organized.  This 
Chapter  was  then  transferred  to  that  jurisdiction. 

Union  Chapter,  Xo.  5,  now  Xo.  2.  was  organized  on  the 
recommendation  of  Mount  Yernon  Chapter  and  chartered 
by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland,  June  9th.  1854.  and  the 
following  officers  were  installed:  Thomas  Tascoe,  H.'P. ; 

Adolphus  Hall,  King;  Hiram  Gray,  Scribe.  The  Grand 
Officers  present  were:  David  P.  Jones,  M.  E.  G.  H.  P. ; 

William  H.  Sale,  M.  E.  G.  King;  Samuel  H.  Williams, 
M.  E.  G.  Scribe  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland. 

Rising  Sun  R.  A.  C.,  Xo.  6,  now  Xo.  3,  of  Alexandria, 
Va.,  organized  October  2d,  1865,  and  chartered  by  the 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  153 

Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland,  has  since  surrendered  its  war- 
rant, to  assist  in  forming  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Virginia. 

Prince  Hall  Chapter,  ISTo.  5,  was  organized  July  8th, 
1870,  and  chartered  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  Officers  as  follows : Mark  M.  Bell,  H.  P. ; 

John  W.  Freeman,  King;  Perry  Ryder,  Scribe;  W.  H. 
Hutchinson,  Treasurer;  John  B.  Washington,  Secretary. 

St.  John's,  Chapter,  Ho.  7,  was  organized  and  chartered 


W.  H.  Thomas 
Scribe. 


by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of 'Columbia  in  1873. 
Companion  J.  B.  Hutchings,  High  Priest;  Companion 
John  H.  Dorster,  King;  Companion  C.  H.  W.  Stoakley, 
Scribe. 

King  Hiram  Chapter,  Ho.  8,  was  organized  in  1873 
and  chartered  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  with  the  following  officers : M.  Ex.  Companion 

Samuel  Param,  H.  P. ; Companion  David  Hughes,  King ; 


*54 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Companion  William  Blakey,  Scribe;  Companion  Isaac  W. 
Scott,  Treasurer;  Companion  George  H.  W.  Tancil,  Scribe; 
Companion  J ohn  H.  Edwards,  Captain  of  the  Host Com- 
panion Thornton  Davis,  P.  S. ; Companion  Jeremiah  Crop- 
per, R.  A.  C. ; Companion  George  R.  Williams,  M.  3d  Y. ; 
Companion  Simon  Archer,  M.  2d  Y. ; Companion  Richard 
Herod,  M.  1st  Y. ; and  Companion  James  E.  Cooper, 
Sentinel. 

Keystone  Chapter,  No.  11,  E.  A.  M..  was  organized  De- 
cember 27th,  1881,  in  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  and  chartered  by 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Officers 
as  follows:  M.  Ex.  Companion  John  A.  Butler,  High 

Priest;  Companion  Benj.  F.  Dailey,  King;  Companion 
Gates  Dixon,  Scribe. 

The  Council  of  M.  Ex.  H.  P's.,  instituted  December  3d, 
1872,  A.  Inv.  2402,  Companion  Charles  C.  Johnson,  M. 
Ex.  G.  H.  P. ; Companion  Robert  H.  Summerville,  Secre- 
tary; Companion  John  H.  Burrill,  Treasurer;  Companion 
Isaac  Clark,  Herald;  Companion  William  H.  Myers, 
Chaplain ; Companion  Adolphus  Hall,  Scribe ; Companion 
W.  H.  Edinburg,  J.  IV. ; Companion  G.  Henry  Burc-h, 
Conductor;  Companion  Charles  Hunt,  Guard. 

Grand  Chapter,  Royal  Arch. — Mount  Yernon  Chap- 
ter, No.  4,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  organized  1850,  District  of 
Columbia;  Union  Chapter,  No.  5,  of  Georgetown,  organ- 
ized 1854,  District  of  Columbia ; Rising  Sun  Chapter.  No. 
6,  organized  1865,  Alexandria,  Ya. ; all  working  under  a 
charter  from  Union  Grand  Chapter  for  the  State  of  Mary- 
land, met  in  convention  at  Masonic  Hall,  on  the  5th  dav  of 
January,  1866,  to  organize  a Grand  Chapter  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia.  Companion  W.  H.  Thomas  was  elected 
presiding  officer,  and  Companion  John  G.  Goines,  secretary. 
The  convention  held  meetings  as  follows:  February  6th, 

February  20th  and  March  19th.  At  the  first  session  a com- 
mittee of  five  were  appointed  to  select  grand  officers  who 
were  as  follows: 

Companion.  Thomas  Brown,  Chairman. 

Companion.  A.  Hall, 

Companion,  Isaac  Clark. 

Companion,  J.  H.  Davis, 

Companion,  Charles  Hunt. 


Among’  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  155 

A committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  design  and  have 
prepared  a seal  for  the  Grand  Chapter — Companions 
Charles  Hunt,  R.  H.  Summerville  and  John  A.  Gray.  The 
second  session  of  the  convention,  held  February  6th,  1886, 
received  reports  from  committees  as  follows:  The  Com- 

mittee on  Grand  Officers,  M.  E.  G.  High  Priest,  Companion 
Adolphus  Hall;  Companion  W.  H.  Thomas,  Grand  King; 
Companion  Charles  Hunt,  Scribe ; Companion  J.  H.  Davis, 
Grand  Treasurer;  Companion  J.  H.  Smallwood,  G.  S. ; 
Companion  W.  H.  Edinburgh,  Grand  Captain  of  the 
Host;  Companion  R.  H.  Summerville,  G.  P.  S. ; Companion 
John  T.  Costin,  Grand  R.  A.  C. ; Companions  Thomas 
Brown  and  John  E.  Lemmons,  Masters  of  V.  S. 

The  Committee  on  Seal  submitted  design  for  seal  for 
Grand  Chapter : “A  seven-pointed  star  within  a double 

circle  marked  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
A.  Ino.  2395.” 

The  convention  elected  the  following  as  officers  of  the 
Grand  Chapter: 

Most  Excellent  Companion,  Adolphus  Hall,  Grand  High-Priest, 
Most  Excellent  Companion,  Charles  Hunt,  Grand  King, 

Most  Excellent  Companion,  W.  H.  Edinburg,  Grand  Scribe, 

Most  Excellent  Companion,  R.  H.  Summerville,  Grand  Secretary, 
Most  Excellent  Companion,  Thomas  Brown,  Grand  Treasurer. 

The  third  session  was  held  February  20th,  1866.  The 
convention  notified  Union  Grand  Chapter  of  H.  R.  A. 
Masons  for  the  State  of  Maryland  of  the  action  of  the  con- 
vention in  forming  a Grand  Chapter  of  H.  R.  A.  Masons 
for  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  that  they  would  have  a 
public  installation  of  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter, 
and  invited  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland,  with  the 
subordinate  Lodges  and  Simon  and  Flenderson  Com- 
manderies  to  attend  the  installation.  A committee  was 
appointed  to  arrange  the  same,  composed  of  Companions 
R.  H.  Summerville,  chairman,  Isaac  Bell,  Clem  Beckett 
and  Thomas  Brown.  Most  Excellent  Companions  John  A. 
Gray  and  John  T.  Costin  were  named  as  orators  of  the  day. 

The  fourth  session  of  the  convention  was  held  March 
19th,  1866.  At  this  session  the  constitution  was  adopted, 
the  date'of  organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter  R.  A.  Masons 


i56  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

for  the  District  of  Columbia  fixed  as  January  5th,  1866, 
A.  Ino.  2395 ; March  30th,  1866,  fixed  as  the  date  for  the 
installation,  and  the  original  design  of  the  seal  modified. 

The  companions  who  composed  that  convention  did  their 
work  well.  From  this  primitive  beginning,  Royal  Arch 
Masonry  has  stretched  the  mantle  of  her  benign  influ- 
ence over  almost  every  State  in  the  Union,  thus  laying  the 
foundation  upon  which  to  erect  a superstructure  which 
was  designed  not  only  to  reflect  credit  and  honor  upon 
the  illustrious  companions  who  composed  the  convention, 
but  as  well  upon  the  Grand  Chapter. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  convention,  held  at  Masonic 
Hall,  Washington,  D.  C.,  on  the  30th  day  of  March,  A.  L. 
5856,  A.  Ino.  2396.  Companion  W.  H.  Thomas.  Past  Grand 
High  Priest  of  Union  Grand  Chapter,  H.  R.  A.  M.  of 
Maryland,  presiding,  and  the  following  companions  were 
present : 


Companion  John  A.  Gray.  P.  D.  G.  H.  P. 

Companion  Adolphus  Hall,  Companion  Charles  Twine, 
Companion  John  Bell,  Companion  James  Davenport, 

Companion  Steven  Owen,  Companion  James  H.  Brown, 

Companion  James  Wear.  Companion  William  H.  Toler, 

Companion  Charles  Johnson,  Companion  J.  H.  A.  Seheurman, 
Companion  R.  H.  Summerville. 

Most  Excellent  Companion  W.  H.  Thomas,  P.  Gr.  H.  P., 
installed  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  as  follows : 

Most  Excellent  Companion  Adolphus  Hall,  M.  E.  Gr.  H.  Priest, 
Most  Excellent  Companion  Charles  Hunt.  M.  E.  Gr.  II.  King, 
Most  Excellent  Com.  Wm.  H.  Edinburg.  M.  E.  Gr.  H.  Scribe. 

Most  Excellent  Com.  Thomas  Brown.  M.  E.  Gr.  H.  Treasurer. 
Most  Excellent  Com.  R.  H.  Summerville,  M.  E.  Gr.  H.  Secretary. 

Most  Excellent  Companion  Adolphus  Hall.  Grand 
High  Priest,  made  the  appointments,  which  were  duly 
installed:  Companion,  John  H.  Davis,  of  Rising  Sun 
Chapter,  of  Alexandria,  Va,,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest : 
Companion  Isaac  Clark,  Captain  of  the  Host : Companion 
James  H.  Hill,  Grand  Chaplain;  Companion  John 
Magruder,  Grand  Guard. 

Thus  the  Grand  Chapter  took  its  place  in  the  galaxy  ( 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J57 

of  Grand  Chapters  on  the  evening  of  March  30th,  1866, 
with  three  subordinate  Chapters  constituting  the  jurisdic- 
tion, namely.  Mount  ATernon,  No.  1,  located  in  the  City  of 
Washington,  D.  C. ; Union,  No.  2,  located  in  the  City  of 
Georgetown,  D.  C.,  and  Rising  Sun,  No.  3,  located  in  the 
City  of  Alexandria. 

These  Chapters  were  reehartered  March  30th,  1866,  as 
Nos.  1,  2 and  3,  surrendering  their  old  warrants  issued 
by  African  Grand  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania  and  Union 
Grand  Chapter  of  Maryland. 

The  Grand  Chapter  of  Holy  Royal  Arch  Masons  for  the 
District  of  Columbia  and  its  jurisdiction  launched  upon 
its  career  of  usefulness,  to  become  strong  and  vigorous  in 
disseminating  and  perpetuating  the  tenets  of  Royal  Arch 
Masonry.  Since  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
for  the  District  of  Columbia  and  its  jurisdiction,  they 
have  chartered  the  following : 

Mount  Yeruon  Chapter,  No.  1,  Washington,  D.  C.,  18GG,  rechar- 
tered. 

Union  Chapter,  No.  2,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1866.  rechartered. 
Rising  Sun  Chapter,  No.  3,  Alexandria,  Ya.,  1866,  reehartered. 
Ezra  Chapter,  No.  4,  New  Orleans,  La.,  1866,  reehartered. 

Prince  Hall  Chapter,  No.  5,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1870. 

Richmond  Chapter,  No.  6,  Richmond,  Ya.,  1871. 

St.  John’s  Chapter.  No.  7,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1873. 

King  Hiram  Chapter,  No.  8,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1873. 

Alpha  Chapter,  No.  9,  New  Orleans,  La.,  1879. 

Prince  Hall  Chapter,  No.  10,  Houston,  Texas,  1880. 

Keystone  Chapter,  No.  11,  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  1881. 

Mount  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  12,  Charleston,  S.  C.,  1882. 

Captain  Stone  Chapter.  No.  13.  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  1882. 
Zerubbabel  Chapter,  No.  14,  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  1882. 
Zerubbabel  Chapter,  No.  15,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  1S83. 

Blooming  Chapter,  No.  16.  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  1883. 

Hiram  Chapter,  No.  17,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  1S84. 

Aaron  Chapter,  No.  18,  Key  West,  Fla.,  1884. 

Potomac  Chapter,  No.  19,  W.  Ya.,  1885. 

King  Hiram  Chapter,  No.  20,  Fernandina,  Fla.,  18S7. 

Georgia  Chapter,  No.  21,  Savannah,  Ga.,  1S90. 

St.  John  Chapter,  No.  22.  Lumber  City,  Ga.,  1891. 

Prince  Hall  Chapter,  No.  23,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  1S91. 

Brauhamis  Chapter,  No.  24,  Savannah,  Ga.,  1891. 

Joshua  Chapter.  No.  25,  Waycross,  Ga.,  1893. 

Mount  Pleasant  Chapter,  No.  26,  Palatka,  Fla.,  1S94. 

Stone  Square  Chapter,  No.  27,  Thomasville,  Ga.,  1S95. 

Acme  Chapter,  No.  28,  Quince,  Ga.,  1895. 


153 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


These  make  a total  of  twenty-eight  (28)  Chapters  war- 
ranted by  this  Grand  Chapter.  Of  these  Chapters,  Eising 
Sun  Chapter,  No.  3,  and  Richmond  Chapter,  No.  6,  with- 
drew for  the  purpose  of  taking  part  in  the  formation  of 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  Holy  Royal  Arch  Masonry  for  the 
State  of  Virginia  ; Rising  Sun.  No.  6,  Ezra  Chapter,  No. 
4,  of  New  Orleans;  Alpha  Chapter,  No.  9,  located  at  New 
Orleans,  La.,  and  Cap  Stone  Chapter,  No.  13v  located  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  H.  R.  A.  Masons  for  the  State  of  Louisiana. 
Prince  Hall  Chapter,  No.  10,  located  at  Houston,  in  the 
State  of  Texas,  assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  Holy  E.  A.  Masons  for  Texas.  Zerubbabel 
Chapter,  No.  15,  located  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.;  Hiram 
Chapter,  No.  17,  located  at  Jacksonville,  Fla.;  Aaron 
Chapter,  No.  18,  located  at  Key  West,  Fla. ; King  Hiram 
Chapter,  No.  20,  located  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  and  Mount 
Pleasant  Chapter,  No.  26,  located  at  Palatka,  Fla.,  called 
a convention  in  August,  1897,  and  formed  a Grand 
Chapter  H.  R.  A.  Masons  for  the  State  of  Florida.  Thus 
it  will  be  seen  that  this  Grand  Chapter  was  a prime  factor 
in  the  organization,  of  the  Grand  Chapter  in  the  State 
of  Virginia,  the  Grand  Chapter  in  the  State  of  Louisiana, 
the  Grand  Chapter  in  the  State  of  Texas,  and  the  Grand 
Chapter  in  the  State  of  Florida.  Eleven  (11)  Chapters 
have  withdrawn,  leaving  seventeen  (17)  Chapters  now 
members  of  this  jurisdiction.  It  has  established  Capitu- 
lary Masonry  in  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coast  States  of 
•Lhe  South  and  chartered  the  following  Courts  of  Heroines 
of  Jericho : 

Zerubbabel  Court,  No.  1,  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  1871. 

Raliab  Court,  No.  2,  Key  West,  Fla.,  18S3. 

Datcher  Court.  No.  3,  Washington,  D.  C..  1S96. 

Victory  Court,  No.  4,  Wayeross,  Ga.,  1S9G. 

Naomi  Court,  No.  5,  Blackshiar,  Ga.,  1897. 

Josephine  Court,  No.  6.  Savannah,  Ga.,  1S99. 


This  makes  a total  of  six  (6)  Courts  of  Heroines  of 
Jericho,  thus  showing  a keen  appreciation  of  the  worth 
of  the  female  relatives  of  the  Companions  as  auxiliary  to 
Royal  Arch  Masonry. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  159 


PAST  GRAND  HIGH 
PRIESTS. 


PAST  GRAND 
SECRETARIES. 


Gr. 

Chap,  of  Md.,  1849  & 1850. 

I860 

Adolphus  Hall, 

R.  H.  Summerville, 

1867 

William  H.  Thomas, 

Carter  H.  Stewart, 

1868 

Charles  Hunt, 

William  H.  Myers, 

1869 

Isaac  Clark, 

Robert  A.  Summerville, 

1870 

William  H.  Edinburg, 

Anthony  Partener, 

1871 

Charles  C.  Johnson, 

Charles  Hunt, 

1872 

Charles  C.  Johnson, 

Charles  Hunt, 

1873 

Charles  C.  Johnson, 

W.  H.  Myers, 

1877 

William  H.  Myers, 

J.  F.  N.  Wilkinson, 

1878 

Thornton  A.  Jackson, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1879 

J.  R.  Contee, 

J.  B.  Washington, 

1880 

J.  Brooker  Hutchings, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

■1883 

John  H.  Burrill, 

J.  B.  Washington, 

1885 

John  W.  Freeman, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1887 

S.  A.  W.  Simms, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1888 

Robert  H.  Summerville, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1890 

Benj.  F.  Dailey, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1891 

William  F.  Thomas, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1892 

Noble  N.  Snowden, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1893 

Horatio  N.  Smith, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1895 

John  N.  Dorster, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1898 

Samuel  H.  West, 

J.  H.  Burrill, 

1901 

F.  H.  Cozzens. 

James  O.  Bampfield. 

Knights  Templars  in  the  District  of  Columbia. — 
Simons  Commandery,  No.  13,  now  No.  1,  chartered 
December  18th,  1855,  by  the  first  African  Grand  Com- 
mandery of  the  United  States  of  North  America.  Head- 
quarters at  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Sir  William  Riley,  Grand 
Master ; Sir  William  H.  Sales,  of  Maryland,  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  and  Sir  Jonathan  Davis,  of  Pa.,  M.  D., 
Grand  Recorder. 

The  following  officers  were  duly  installed:  Sir  John 

T.  Costin,  Eminent  Commander;  Sir  John  A.  Grey, 
Generalissimo ; Sir  Ananias  Herbert,  Captain  General ; Sir 
James  Hebron,  Prelate;  Sir  Carter  A.  Stewart,  Treasurer; 
Sir  John  F.  Lemmons,  Recorder;  Sir  W.  H.  Edinburgh, 
S.  W. ; Sir  Charles  Hunt,  J.  W. ; Sir  William  H.  Thomas, 
S.  B. ; and  Sir  William  Tunnia,  Warden. 

Henderson  Commandery,  No.  13,  chartered  December 


160 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

18th,  1855,  A.  0.  751,  by  the  First  African  Grand  Com- 
mandery  of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.  Grand  officers  present,  Sir  William  Riley, 
Grand  Master;  Sir  William  H.  Sales,  D.  G.  M. ; Sir 
Jonathan  Davis,  M.  D.,  Grand  Recorder.  The  following 
officers  were  duly  installed : Sir  Edward  M.  Thomas, 

Eminent  Commander;  Sir  Robert  A.  Summerville,  Gen- 
eralissimo ; Sir  William  H.  Lewis,  Captain  General ; Sir 
Adolphus  Hall,  Prelate;  Sir  Henry  Dade,  Treasurer;  Sir 
James  Mason,  Recorder;  Sir  Daniel  H.  Smith,  Senior 
Warden ; Sir  Philip  Hamilton,  Junior  Warden. 

Gethsemane  Commandery,  No.  16,  now  No.  3,  chartered 
November  7th,  1867,  by  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.  Sir  Charles  H.  Twine,  Eminent  Commander ; 
Sir  John  G.  Goines,  Generalissimo ; Sir  Albert  Parker, 
C.  G. ; Sir  Albert  0.  Jones,  Prelate;  Sir  W.  H.  Brown,  Re-' 
corder;  Sir  John  Battles,  Secretary;  Sir  Arthur  Payne,  J. 
W. ; Sir  Lewis  Williams,  Warden ; Sir  Eugene  P.  Minor, 
Sentinel. 

Grand  officers  present:  Sir  Francis  R.  Belasque,  E.  B. 

C. ; Sir  William  H.  Thomas,  D.  G.  Commander;  Sir  Robert 
H.  Summerville,  G.  Gen. ; Sir  W.  H.  Edinburg.  G.  C.  G. ; 
Sir  John  A.  Gray,  G.  Prelate;  Sir  Isaac  Clark,  S.  W. ; 
Sir  John  Bell,  J.  W. ; Sir  Jonathan  Davis,  G.  Recorder; 
Sir  Stephen  Owens,  G.  S.  Bearer;  Sir  John  W.  Freeman. 
G.  Warden. 

Mount  Calvary  Commandery,  No.  14,  chartered  1872, 
A.  0.  751,  by  the  G.  C.  of  the  D.  C.  Sir  John  E.  Ed- 
wards, Eminent  Commander  ; Sir  A.  W.  Tucker,  General- 
issimo; Sir  T.  A.  Jackson,  Captain  General  ; Sir  A.  W. 
Tancil,  Prelate;  Sir  John  H.  Burrill,  Treasurer;  Sir  John 
N.  Dorster,  Recorder;  Sir  R.  N.  Morris,  S.  W. ; Sir  Thorn- 
ton Davis,  J.  W. ; Sir  Jeremiah  Cropper,  Warden  Guard. 
The  officers  were  duly  installed  by  the  grand  officers. 

The  Grand  Commandery. — Grand  Commandery  of 
Knights  Templars,  organized  January  16th,  1871,  for 
the  District  of  Columbia.  Rising  Sun  Commandery.  No. 
11,  Baltimore,  Md..  Simon  Commandery,  No.  12.  Hender- 
son Commandery,  No.  13,  and  Gethsemane  Commandery, 


Masonic  Knighthood,  John  W.  Simmons,  P.  G.  M. 
Tradition  of  Freemasonry,  A.  T.  C.  Pierson,  33rd  degree. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  f6l 

No.  16,  working  under  the  charter  of  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery  of  Philadeljdtia,  Pa.,  met  in  convention  on  tire 
above  date  and  elected  grand  officers  as  follows: 

Em.  Sir  Win.  H.  Thomas,  Grand  Commander; 

Sir  Charles  Howard,  Deputy  Grand  Commander; 

Sir  Charles  H.  Twine,  Gr.  Generalissimo; 

Sir  Adolphus  Hall,  Grand  Captain  General; 

Sir  James  H.  Jackson,  Grand  Prelate; 

Sir  Horace  Smith,  Grand  Senior  Warden; 

Sir  John  W.  Heard,  Grand  Junior  Warden; 

Sir  James  H.  Jackson,  Grand  Treasurer; 

Sir  John  G.  Goines,  Grand  Recorder. 

The  three  old  Commanderies  surrendered  their  old  war- 
rants and  took  out  warrants  dated  January  16th,  1871,  and 
the  following  Commanderies  have  been  chartered  since : 

Simon,  No.  1,  rechartered  January  16th,  1871. 

Henderson,  No.  2,  rechartered  January  16,  1871. 
Gethsemane,  No.  3,  rechartered  January  16,  1871. 

Mount  Calvary,  No.  4,  chartered  1871. 

Georgia,  No.  7,  chartered  in  1872,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

St.  Phillips,  No.  8,  chartered  in  1873,  Savannah,  Ga. 

Past  Eight  Eminent  Grand  Commanders  served  as 
follows : 


R.  E.  Sir  W.  H.  Thomas,  Jan.  16,  1871. 

R.  E.  Sir  John  A.  Gray,  Feb.  27,  1873. 

R.  E.  Sir  L.  C.  Bailey,  »ec.  14,  1874. 

R.  E.  Sir  J.  W.  Booth,  Nov.  2,  1876. 

R.  E.  Sir  A.  W.  Tancil,  Nov.  26,  1877. 

R.  E.  Sir  John  Battles,  Nov.  17,  1879. 

R.  E.  Sir  Perrv  H.  Carson,  Feb.  29,  1880. 

R.  E.  Sir  Wm.  H.  Myers,,  Nov.  24,  1880. 

R.  E.  Sir  Carter  A.  Stewart,  Nov.  27,  1882. 

R.  E.  Sir  John  L.  Hickman,  Dec.  9,  1884. 

R.  E.  Sir  John  W.  Freeman.  Nov.  24,  18S6. 

R.  E.  Sir  Samuel  H.  West,  Nov.  25,  1887. 

R.  E.  Sir  Samuel  H.  West,  Nov.  14,  1S89. 

R.  E.  Sir  T.  A.  Jackson,  Nov.  19,  1890. 

R,  E.  Sir  Lewis  H.  Wayne,  Nov.  26,  1891. 

R.  E.  Sir  John  N.  Dorster,  Oct.  20,  1898. 

R.  E.  Sir  Henry  C.  Harris,  Nov.  25,  1899. 

R.  E.  Sir  S.  Roger  Watts,  Nov.  26,  1902. 

Simon,  Henderson  and  Gethsemane  Commanderies 
were  organized  as  aforesaid  by  the  Grand  Commandery  of 


162 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  Mount  Calvary,  No.  4,  Georgia.  No. 
1,  and  St.  Philip's,  No.  8,  were  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Commanderv  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Sirs  William  H.  Thomas,  John  T.  Costin.  John  A. 
Gray,  D.  P.  Jones  and  Adolphus  Hall  were  the  founders 
of  the  higher  degrees  of  Masonry  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia.* 

Acme  Temple  was  organized  under  a dispensation 
granted  by  Imperial  Grand  Potentate  John  G.  Jones  to 
Deputy  R.  J.  Fletcher,  Chief  Grand  Rabban,  its  founders 
being  the  following  named  persons: 

Potentate,  Henry  Warfield,  33rd  degree. 

Chief  Rabban,  Alonzo  Letherberry,  33rd  degree. 

Assistant  Chief  Rabban,  Philip  T.  Simmons,  32nd  degree. 
Recorder,  George  M.  Lee,  32nd  degree. 

Treasurer,  Moses  H.  Bennett,  32nd  degree. 

O.  G.,  Willis  C.  Rose,  32nd  degree. 

O.  G.,  Alfred  Deadrick,  32nd  degree. 

C.  R.,  William  J.  Robinson,  32nd  degree. 

H.  P.  & P.,  William  Donnell,  32nd  degree. 

S.  C.  M.,  Henry  Maxwell.  32nd  degree. 

O.,  C.  C.  Moore,  32nd  degree. 

O.  G.,  Jack  W.  Robinson,  32nd  degree. 

A.  J.  Walton,  32nd  degree. 

II.  D.  Stokes,  32nd  degree. 

Christopher  Garvey,  32nd  degree. 

.Tames  Phelps,  32nd  degree. 

E.  M.  Williamson,  32nd  degree. 

William  Payne,  32nd  degree. 

Granville  Nicholson,  32nd  degree. 

The  above  named  were  initiated  for  the  purpose.  It  was 
granted  a charter  at  the  meeting  of  the  Imperial  Council, 
the  26th  of  December,  1896. 

Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.— To  become  a member 
of  the  order  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  the  appli- 
cant, according  to  the  law  of  the  Imperial  Council,  must 
be  a regular  Knight  Templar  in  good  standing,  or  a thirty- 
second  degree  Mason  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 

♦Memoirs  of  Wm.  II.  Bruce,  Clement  Beckett.  John  W.  Free- 
man, P.  G.  M.  John  F.  Cook,  and  P.  G.  M.  Wm.  H.  Meyers; 
Memoirs  of  John  A.  Gray,  and  the  Records  of  Commanderies, 

1855  to  1001. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  J 63 

Rite  of  the  Obedience  of  the  Supreme  Council  for  the 
United  States,  Northern  and  Southern  and  African  de- 
pendencies or  Masonic  jurisdiction  of  such  rite. 

An  offence  committed  by  a Noble  which  has  caused  his 
suspension  or  expulsion  in  any  order  membership  in  which 
is  a prerequisite  to  this  order,  such  expulsion  or  suspension 
must  similarly  affect  his  standing  in  his  Temple. 

To  continue  a member  every  Noble  must  remain  in  good 
standing  in  the  prerequisite  bodies  to  which  he  belongs. 
Should  he  be  a member  in  both  a Commandery  and  Con- 
sistory he.  must  continue  in  good  standing  in  both  or  he 
forfeits  his  membership  as  a Shriner. 

Woman. — As  Masonry,  at  its  origin,  and  through  many 
centuries,  was  occupied  solely  with  physical  labors,  in 
which  females  do  not  participate,  the  instructions  of  an- 
cient Masonry  are  only  suited  to  the  male  sex.  Conse- 
quently, women  would  not  find  themselves  interested  in 
our  symbolical  Lodges.  But  there  are  Masonic  rites  which 
invite  the  wives,  sisters  and  daughters  of  Freemasons,  who 
may  desire  it,  to  our  venerable  order.*  The  rite  practiced 
by  the  Grand  Orient  of  France  and  the  American  adopted 
rite,  or  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  are  extremely  interesting 
forms  of  Masonic  instruction,  and  are  adapted  to  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  female  sex.  Courts  of  Heroines  of 
Jericho  may  be  found  in  all  States. 

The  following  Chapters  have  been  established: 

Queen  Esther,  Chapter  No.  1.  Prince  Hall. 

Queen  of  Sheba.  Heroines  of  Jericho. 

Gethsemane.  Zerubbabel  Court. 

Miriam.  Datcher  Court. 

Masonic  Hall. — For  many  years  the  Craft  in  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  were  housed  in  rented  buildi  ngs.  This 
condition  of  affairs  continued  until  1893,  when  Right 
Worshipful  Brother  Henry  Coleman  was  elected  Grand 
Master.  His  great  desire  was  to  secure  a permanent  home 

*See  Signet  of  Solomon  or  Freemason’s  Daughter,  by  C.  L. 
Arnold. 

Lady  Freemason,  Countess  Hadick  was  regularly  initiated  in 
Hungarian  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M.,  in  1762,  the  first  and  last 
woman  ever  made  a Mason.  Masonic  Eclectic,  p.  202. 


164 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


for  the  Masonic  bodies  in  this  jurisdiction.  After  a 
careful  financial  examination  of  the  condition  of  the  Craft 
and  cost  of  a suitable  Temple,  he  called  to  his  assistance 
P.  G.  M.  Leonard  C.  Bailey,  who  is  ever  ready  to  give  a 
helping  hand  in  all  matters  for  the  good  of  mankind. 
These  two  Brothers,  like  Jonathan  and  David,  could  be 
seen  wending  their  way  from  one  real  estate  exchange  to 
another  looking  for  a suitable  hall.  They  finally  settled 
upon  and  purchased  the  property  located  on  Virginia 
Avenue,  S.  E.,  which  was  once  the  Masonic  home  of  Xaval 
Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M (white).  The  building  was  put  in 
thorough  repair  for  the  accommodation  of  all  the  Masonic 
bodies  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  cost  of  building 
and  ground  was  $10,000 ; repairs  and  other  expenses  will 
make  the  property  cost,  when  the  entire  debt  is  paid, 
$15,000.  The  remaining  debt  is  $2,000,  which  can  be 
paid  at  any  time. 

Relief  Association. — The  Masonic  Union  Relief  Asso- 
ciation of  the  District  of  Columbia,  organized  February 
27th,  1872,  incorporated  September  26th.  1872. 

Officers:  John  F.  Cook,  President,  Wm.  Beckett.  Treasurer. 

John  T.  Lucas,  Vice-President,  Wm.  P.  Ryder,  Secretary. 

Directors:  John  F.  Cook,  Jonathan  R.  Coutee,  Geo.  Cook.  Wm. 

P.  Ryder,  Henry  Piper,  John  L.  Webster,  W.  H.  Gray,  Robert 
Williams,  John  G.  Goines,  Frederick  Mason,  Charles  Hunt,  Geo. 
W.  Williams.  Geo.  M.  Winters,  Ludwell  Lee,  Wm.  ..ec-kett,  John 
Battle,  John  T.  Lucas,  Robert  T.  Iverson,  Charles  W.  Proctor. 

General  meetings  are  held  annually  on  the  third  Wednes- 
day in  March  for  the  election  of  officers,  etc.  The  di- 
rectors meet  monthly  at  Masonic  Hall,  Fifth  Street  and 
Virginia  Avenue,  S.  E. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  165 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  MARYLAND 1825. 

Most  Worshipful  United  Grand  Lodge  A.  F.  & A.  M. 
of  the  State  of  Maryland. — The  first  Lodge  of  colored 
Masons  constituted  in  the  State  of  Maryland  was  warranted 
February  2d,  1825,  by  the  First  Independent  African 
Grand  Lodge  of  North  America,  No.  1,  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  Peter  Richmond,  Grand  Master;  Richard 
Parker,  Deputy  Grand  Master ; Thomas  Depee,  Grand  Sen- 
ior Warden,  and  Prim  Clover,  Grand  Junior  Warden 
(chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  1815,  His 
Serene  Highness,  Henry  Frederick,  Duke  of  Cumberland, 
Grand  Master),  under  the  title  of  Friendship  Lodge,  No. 
6,  of  Baltimore,  Aid.,  after  which  St.  James  Lodge  and 
Enterprise  Lodge  were  warranted  by  the  same  authority. 
In  1815  these  three  subordinate  Lodges  created  the  first 
colored  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Maryland.  In  1817 
another  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  by  and  under  author- 
ity of  the  National  Grand  Lodge.  These  two  Grand  Lodges 
remained  in  the  field  until  1876,  when,  being  convinced 
that  the  object  which  each  grand  body  sought  to  accom- 
plish would  be  better  subserved  by  a union  of  the  two, 
accordingly  efforts  to  consolidate  were  made  by  the  leading 
members  of  the  two  organizations  with  well-merited  suc- 
cess. Articles  of  agreement,  forming  a basis  of  union, 
were  duly  signed  by  commissioners.  A general  assembly 
of  Masons  under  the  auspices  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges 
took  place  at  Douglas  Institute  on  September  12th,  1876. 
Rev.  James  A.  Handy.  Grand  Master  of  the  First  Colored 
Grand  Lodge  and  Nathaniel  Burgess,  Grand  Master  of  the 
Union  Grand  Lodge,  were  present.  The  report  of  the 


J 66  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

commissioners  was  ratified,  and  the  First  Union  Colored 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Maryland  was  then  organized 
as  a result  of  the  union.  In  1878  this  name  was  changed 
to  the  M.  W.  United  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Mary- 
land, and  has  remained  so  ever  since.  It  is  regretted  that 
the  records  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  prior  to  1876  have 
been  lost  or  destroyed,  therefore  the  authentic  history 


Samuel  E.  Young, 

Grand  Master  of  Maryland,  1895. 


of  the  Craft  in  this  jurisdiction  must  date  from  the  union 
in  1876. 

The  following  is  a list  of  the  grand  officers  from  1876  to 
1902: 


Grand  officers,  1876 — 

James  A.  Handy, 
Causman  H.  Gaines, 
William  H.  Brown, 
Richard  H.  Freeman, 
John  T.  Brown, 
William  E.  Wilkes, 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 

Grand  Secretary. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America*  167 


Grand  officers,  1877 — 

James  A.  Handy, 

C.  H.  Gaines, 

W.  H.  Brown, 
Richard  Freeman, 
John  T.  Brown, 
William  E.  Wilkes, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary, 

Grand  officers,  1878 — 

James  A.  Handy, 
C.  H.  Gaines, 

J.  B.  Sanks, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

J.  T.  Brown, 

Wm.  E.  Wilkes, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1879 — 

Robert  H.  Gibbs, 
J.  B.  Sanks, 

Wm.  F.  Taylor, 
J.  T.  Tubman, 

J.  T.  Brown, 

J.  H.  Hill, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1880 — 

Wm.  F.  Taylor, 
George  Myers, 

Blake  Downs, 

John  R.  Keene, 

Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
Wm.  E.  Wilkes, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1881 — 

Isaac  Myers, 

James  H.  Hill, 
Isaac  H.  Howard, 
J.  T.  Johnson, 

Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
J.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1882 — 

Isaac  Myers, 

James  H.  Hill, 
George  Myers, 

J.  M.  Boardly, 

Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
John  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

163 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Grand  officers,  1883 — 

James  B.  Sanks, 
James  H.  Hill, 
George  Myers, 

J.  M.  Boardly, 

Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
John  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1881 — 

James  B.  Sanks, 

John  H.  Smith, 
George  Myers, 

Geo.  W.  Turner, 

Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
Charles  R.  Matthews, 

Grand  officers,  1885 — 

H.  P.  Ringgold, 
Lemuel  G.  Griffin, 
George  Myers, 

Samuel  E.  Young, 
Geo.  W.  Milbourne, 
Charles  R.  Matthews, 

Grand  officers,  1886 — 

Lemuel  G.  Griffin, 
George  Myers, 

Samuel  E.  Young, 
James  Whipper, 

John  R.  Keen, 

John  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1887 — 

Lemuel  G.  Griffin, 
Samuel  E.  Young, 
James  E.  Payne, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1888 — 

Lemuel  G.  Griffin, 
Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

T.  H.  Young, 

J.  R.  Keene,. 

J.  H.  Smith, 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Among  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  169 


Grand  officers,  1889; — 

Isaac  H.  Howard, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith. 

W.  W.  Gaskins, 
Charles  H.  Murphy, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1890 — 

Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

Jarvis  Griffin, 

Isaac  H.  Richardson, 
J.  R.  Keene, 

W.  W.  Lewis, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1891 — 

Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

J.  C.  Simmes, 

James  N.  Davis, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1892 — 

Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

J.  H.  Slocum, 

Basil  Kell, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1893 — 

Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

J.  C.  Simms, 

Basil  Kell, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

Grand  officers,  1894 — 

Samuel  E.  Young, 

J.  H.  Smith, 

W.  W.  Lewis, 

Basil  Kell, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 

m 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Grand  officers,  1895 — 

W.  W.  Lewis, 
Charles  H.  Giles, 

W.  E.  Tilghman, 
Albert  Gant, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  189G — 

W.  W.  Lewis, 
Charles  H.  Giles, 

W.  E.  Tilghman, 
Basil  Kell, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1897 — 

W.  W.  Lewis, 
Charles  H.  Giles, 
Geo.  W.  Johnson, 
Basil  Kell, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1898 — 

James  H.  Hill, 

W.  E.  Tilghman, 
Thos.  H.  Smith, 

A.  B.  P.  Garver, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1899 — 

J.  H.  Hill, 

Wm.  E.  Tilghman, 
Thos.  H.  Smith, 
William  Cooper, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  H.  L.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1900 — 

Wm.  E.  Tilghman, 
Geo.  W.  Johnson, 

W.  G.  Strange, 

C.  H.  Young, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  H.  L.  Smith, 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  17J 


Grand  officers,  1901 — 

Wm.  E.  Tilgliman, 
W.  W.  Gaskins* 

W.  G.  Strange, 
Albert  Gant* 

J.  R.  Keene* 

J.  H.  L.  Smith, 

Grand  officers,  1902 — 

Wm.  E.  Tilgkman, 
W.  W.  Gaskins, 

W.  G.  Strange, 
Albert  Gant, 

J.  R.  Keene, 

J.  H.  L.  Smith, 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Grand  Master. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Grand  Senior  Warden. 
Grand  Junior  Warden. 
Grand  Treasurer. 
Grand  Secretary. 


Royal  Arch  Masonry  in  Maryland. — In  the  year 
1847  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Pennsylvania  granted  several 
warrants  for  the  establishment  of  Royal  Arch  Lodges  in 
the  State  of  Maryland.  In  1849  a convention  was  held 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a 
Grand  Chapter  for  the  State  of  Maryland,  which  was  con- 
summated by  the  election  of  Rev.  Brother  David  P.  Jones 
Grand  High  Priest  and  other  grand  officers.  This  Chap- 
ter is  known  as  Union  Holy  Royal  Arch  Grand  Chapter  of 
the  State  of  Maryland.  This  was  the  first  Grand  Chapter 
south  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  On  June  9th,  1854,  David  P. 
Jones,  M.  E.  G.  H.  P.,  granted  a charter  to  Thomas  Tascoe, 
Adolphus  Hall,  Hiram  Gray,  who  were  Royal  Arch  Masons 
and  members  of  Mount  Yernon  Chapter,  and  who  with- 
drew for  the  purpose  of  organizing  Union  Chapter.  This 
Grand  Chapter  organized  Rising  Sun,  No.  6,  in  Alexandria, 
Va. 

The  upper  degrees  were  not  successful  south  of  Philadel- 
phia, prior  to  1865.  In  this  year  there  were  only  six 
chartered  and  established  Royal  Arch  Chapters  south  of 
Pennsylvania  as  follows:  Three  in  Baltimore  City,  two  in 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  one  in  Delaware.  Slavery  and 
the  war  of  Rebellion  of  1861  prevented  its  spread,  espe- 
cially southward.  In  the  year  1866  and  onward  it  made 
rapid  progress,  spreading  all  over  the  south  and  west.  In 
1867  another  Grand  Chapter  was  organized  by  ambitious 
Royal  Arch  Masons  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  There  the 


172 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


war  in  the  upper  degrees  commenced  and  continued  in  this 
State  until  the  year  of  1876,  when  a convention  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons  was  called  to  form  a union  of  the  two  Grand 
Chapters,  November  30th,  1876.  This  was  consummated 
as  follows : 

Baltimore,  1876,  A.  D.  2406,  November  30. — Morning 
Star  and  Union  Holy  Royal  Arch  Grand  Chapters  of  the 
State  of  Maryland  met  in  joint  convention,  with  the  follow- 
ing P.  G.  H.  P’s.,  Isaac  Scott  and  William  F.  Taylor,  in 
their  proper  stations,  Companions  James  T.  Westley  and 
John  N.  Owens,  D.  G.  H.  P’s.,  and  other  grand  officers,  in 
their  respective  stations.  On  motion  of  L.  G.  Griffin,  the 
articles  of  agreement  were  read  and  adopted.  On  motion 
of  Companion  W.  E.  Wilkes  that  the  chairman  appoint  a 
committee  of  seven  to  nominate  officers  for  the  M.  E. 
Hiram  Holy  Grand  Chapter,  and  the  following  compan- 
ions were  duly  appointed,  to -wit:  Zachariah  Sharper. 

Richard  Freeman,  William  E.  Wilkes,  Emory  J.  Augustus, 

Samuel  Pritchard,  John  H.  Owens  and  Hall.  The 

committee  retired  and  on  their  return  submitted  the  follow- 
ing report : 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest,  Samuel  H.  Freeman,  vs.  Zachariah  Shorter. 
Dept.  M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest.  Samuel  E.  Young,  vs.  John  H.  Owens. 
M.  E.  G.  H.  King,  Samuel  Pritchard,  vs.  H.  P.  Ringgold. 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Scribe,  Eben  Gibbs,  vs.  J.  Murry  Ralph. 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Secretary,  Chas.  P.  Mathews,  vs.  Geo.  R.  Wilson. 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Treasurer,  John  B.  Lanks,  vs.  John  T.  Brown. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted  and  the  con- 
vention adjourned  sine  die. 

Henry  J.  Ringgold,  Secretary. 

November  30th,  1876,  the  Most  Excellent  Hiram  Holy 
Royal  Arch  Grand  Chapter  was  opened  by  Companion  P. 
G.  IJ.  Priest  James  T.  Westley,  in  form,  with  sufficient 
companions  to  form  the  Grand  Chapter,  after  which  the 
election  for  grand  officers  was  held  and  resulted  as  follows : 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest.  Richard  H.  Freeman, 

R.  E.  D.  G.  Priest,  Samuel  E.  YToung, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Samuel  Pritchard, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Ebenezer  Gibbs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  John  T.  Brown. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  173 


After  they  were  installed  the  Grand  Chapter  was  called 
off,  December  11th,  1877.  Officers  elected: 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest,  Samuel  E.  Young, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Nathaniel  T.  Burges, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Isaac  H.  Howard, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  John  T.  Brown, 

R.  E.  Grand  Chaplain,  Joseph  H.  Lee. 

Officers  elected  in  1878: 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest,  Samuel  E.  Young, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  H.  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Nathaniel  T.  Burges, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer.  John  T.  Brown, 

R.  E.  Grand  Chaplain,  John  T.  Pierce. 

Officers  elected  in  1879 : 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest,  John  B.  Sanks, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  H.  Priest,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Nathaniel  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  William  F.  Taylor, 

R.  E.  Grand  Chaplain,  John  T.  Pierce. 

Officers  elected  in  1880 : 

M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest,  Ebenezer  Gibbs, 

R.  E.  D.  G.  H.  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Isaac  Howard. 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  William  T.  Taylor, 

R.  E.  Grand  Chaplain,  John  T.  Pierce. 


Officers  elected  in  1881: 

M.  E.  Grand  H.  Priest,  John  T.  Brown, 

R.  E.  D.  G.  H.  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Mathews, 
R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  William  F.  Taylor. 


<74 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Officers  elected  in  1882: 

M.  E.  G.  High  Priest,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  Lewis  Minor, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Hiram  Watty, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Daniel  Sheridan. 

Officers  elected  in  1883 : 

M.  E.  G.  High  Priest,  George  R.  Wilson, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  H.  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  Mathews, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Daniel  Sheridan. 

Officers  elected  in  1884: 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Geo.  R.  Wilson, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  Walter  Sorrell, 
R.  E.  Grand  King,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  James  Jackson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  Charles  Mathews. 

Officers  elected  in  1885 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Deputy  Grand  H.  P.,  Lewis  Minor, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Washington  Queen, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  James  Jackson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  William  E.  Wilkes. 

Officers  elected  in  1886 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Lewis  Minor, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  John  W.  Moore, 
R.  E.  Grand  King,  Washington  Queen, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe.  B.  H.  Walker, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  William  E.  Wilkes, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  James  Jackson. 

Officers  elected  in  1887 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  John  W.  Moore, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest.  Geo.  H.  Roy, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Barrett  Walker, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Isaac  Howard, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  William  E.  Wilkes, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Samuel  E.  Young. 


Among  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  J75 

Officers  elected  in  1888 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Washington  Queen, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  A.  L.  Bunting, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  B.  H.  Walker, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  S„  I.  Haines, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  William  E.  Wilkes, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  John  B.  Sanks. 

Officers  elected  in  1889 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  S.  T.  Hines, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  W.  W.  Gaskins, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  T.  H.  Booze, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  J.  C.  Simms, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill. 

Officers  elected  in  1890 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  W.  W.  Gaskins, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  Joshua  C.  Simms, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  T.  H.  Booze, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Samuel  Jackson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  J.  H.  Hill. 

Officers  elected  in  1891 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  W.  W.  Gaskins, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  J.  H.  Booze, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Gatewood, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Joseph  Jarvis, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Blake  Downs, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  J.  H.  Hill. 

Officers  elected  in  1892 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Joshua  C.  Simms, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  J.  H.  Booze, 

R.  E.  Grand  King.  J.  W.  Nickods, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  R.  T.  Harris, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Blake  Downs. 

Officers  elected  in  1893 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  J.  H.  Booze, 

R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  Richard  Harris, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Jacob  T.  Dunton, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Benjamin  Nicholson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins. 


\7  6 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Officers  elected  in  1894: 

M.  E.  Graud  High  Priest,  Benjamin  Nicholson, 
R.  E.  D.  Grand  High  Priest,  Nathaniel  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Jacob  T.  Dunton, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Frank  Perry, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins. 

Officers  elected  in  1895 : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Franklin  Perry, 

R.  E.  Deputy  Gr.  High  Priest,  J.  T.  Dunton, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  D.  T.  Harrod, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Joseph  Slacum, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill, 

M.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins. 

Officers  elected  in  189G  : 

M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest,  Nathaniel  Hill,* 

R.  E.  Deputy  Gr.  High  Priest,  J.  W.  Nickols, 
R.  E-  Grand  King,  Joseph  Green, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  John  A.  Hopewell, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  H.  Hill, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins. 

Officers  elected  in  1897 : 

M.  E.  Gr.  High  Priest,  James  W.  Nickols, 

R.  E.  Deputy  Gr.  High  Pr.  John  A.  Hopewell, 
R.  E.  Grand  King,  Nelson  Walker, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Handy  Coleman, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill. 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  G.  Washington  Queen. 

Officers  elected  in  1898 : 

M.  E.  Gr.  High  Priest,  John  A.  Hopewell, 

R.  E.  D.  Gr.  High  Priest,  Nelson  Walker, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Handy  Coleman, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  James  Harris, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill. 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Geo.  W.  Queen. 

Officers  elected  in  1899: 

M.  E.  Gr.  High  Priest,  Nelson  Walker. 

R.  E.  D.  Gr.  High  Priest,  Handy  Coleman, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  James  Harris, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  D.  T.  Harrod, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  Geo.  W.  Queen, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  J.  H.  Hill. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  Ml 

Officers  elected  in  1900: 

M.  E.  Gr.  High  Priest,  Handy  Coleman. 

R.  E.  D.  Gr.  H.  Priest,  John  H.  Murphy, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  George  Rideout, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe,  Thomas  Johnson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  Hill. 

Officers  elected  in  1901  : 

M.  E.  Gr.  High  Priest,  John  H.  Murphy, 

R.  E.  D.  Gr.  High  Priest,  David  T.  Harrod, 

R.  E.  Grand  King,  Caleb  Robinson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Scribe.  Edward  Richardson, 

R.  E.  Grand  Treasurer,  W.  W.  Gaskins, 

R.  E.  Grand  Secretary,  James  H.  Hill. 

St.  Andrew’s  Grand  Cominandery,  Knights  Templars, 
was  organized  in  Baltimore,  February  19th,  1873,  A.  0. 
755.  Sir  James  T.  Westley  was  the  first  Eight  Eminent 
Grand  Commander.  The  grand  officers  were  installed  by 
P.  R.  E.  Grand  Commander  William  H.  Thomas  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  as  follows: 

Sir  James  T.  Westley,  R.  E.  G.  Commander, 

Sir  William  E.  Wilkes,  V.  E.  D.  G.  Commander, 

Sir  Peter  Barnes,  G.  Generalissimo, 

Sir  Horace  Smith.  G.  C.  General, 

Sir  Fletcher  Augustus,  G.  Treasurer, 

Sir  John  W.  Pratt,  G.  Recorder, 

Sir  Henry  P.  Ringgold,  G.  S.  Warden, 

Sir  George  H.  Hughes,  G.  J.  Warden, 

Sir  James  E.  Bowerman,  G.  Standard  Bearer, 

Sir  L.  B.  Barrett,  G.  Sword  Bearer, 

Sir  John  T.  Veal,  G.  Warden, 

Sir  J.  E.  Augustus,  Guard, 

Sir  E.  Gibbs,  Guard, 

Sir  William  J.  Polk,  Guard. 

The  past  grand  officers  are  as  follows: 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  James  T.  Westley, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Charles  Howard, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  William  E.  Wilkes, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Samuel  W.  Chase, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  L.  T.  Griffin, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Henry  P.  Ringgold, 

P.  R,  E.  G.  Commander,  William  E.  Emerson, 


J78 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Hiram  Watty, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  George  W.  Thomas, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Samuel  H.  Jackson, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Edward  Carty, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Isaac  Brown, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  D.  P.  Seaton, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Andrew  L.  Bunting, 
P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  John  T.  Tubman, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Walter  W.  Gaskins, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Charles  H.  Murphy, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  Watson  Coleman, 

P.  R.  E.  G.  Commander,  George  E.  Hazetton. 


See  official  records  of  Grand  and  Subordinate  bodies,  1825-1902. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  179 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  DELAWARE — 1S38. 

The  first  Lodge,  Star  of  the  East  Lodge,  Xo.  21,  was 
chartered  by  Grand  Master  George  Clark  of  African 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  in  1838.  According  to  pre- 
vious notice  and  arrangement,  the  Masters,  Wardens  and 
legal  representatives  of  the  subordinate  Lodges  of  the  State 
of  Delaware,  viz.,  Star  of  the  East  Lodge,  Xo.  21,  Rising 
Sun  Lodge,  Xo.  28,  and  Meridian  Sun  Lodge,  Xo.  29  (for- 
merly under  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania), met  in  convention  in  the  Masonic  Hall  in  Fifth 
Street  on  June  9th,  1849,  to  take  in  consideration  the  for- 
mation of  a Grand  Lodge  in  the  State  of  Delaware.  This 
was  consummated  by  the  election  of  the  following  named 
brethren  for  the  ensuing  year.  They  were  installed  by 
Jacob  Jenkins,  M:  W.  Grand  Master,  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Peter  Anderson,  R.  W.  D.  G.  Master,  of  the  same  State : 

Levi  Anderson,  M.  W.  Grand  Master. 

Moses  Gi  Wilson,  R.  W.  D.  G.  Master. 

William  Blunt,  R.  W.  S.  G.  Warden. 

Michael  Sterling,  R.  W.  J.  G.  Warden. 

Bennitt  P.  Hill,  R.  W.  G.  Treasurer. 

Joseph  H.  Banks,  R.  W.  G.  Secretary. 

John  E.  Young,  R.  W.  G.  Cor.  Secretary. 

Charles  Webber,  R.  W.  G.  Pursuivant. 

Levi  MedfoTd,  Jr.,  R.  W.  G.  Tiler. 

Alexander  Watson,  R.  W.  G.  S.  Deacon. 

Kennard  Bvard,  R.  W.  G.  J.  Deacon. 

Benj.  W.  Sharper,  R W.  G.  M.  C. 

Henry  Weeks,  R.  W.  G.  S.  Bearer. 

John  Viney,  R.  W.  G.  Marshal. 

Daniel  Russell,  R.  W.  G.  Chaplain. 

Henry  Johnson,  R.  W.  G.  Chaplain. 

Hemsley  Jackson,  R.  W.  G.  Chaplain. 

Samuel  Green,  R.  W.  G,  S, 


ISO  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  Grand  Lodge  continued  to  pursue  its  labors  and  ex- 
ercise a supreme  power  over  the  subordinate  Lodges  opened 
under  its  jurisdiction  in  the  State  and  out  of  the  State 
where  no  Grand  Lodge  existed.  At  the  formation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  there  were  only  three  Lodges  in  the  State, 
but  since  that  time,  in  accordance  with  the  ancient  land- 
marks and  usages  of  Masonry,  the  following  named  Lodges 
have  been  established : 


Rising  Sun,  No.  4,  at  Milton,  Del.,  established  March  17.  1852. 
Meridian  Sun,  No.  5,  Providence,  R.  I..  February  22,  1853. 
Prudence,  No.  6,  at  Dover,  Del.,  Jan.  20.  1855.' 

St.  John’s,  No.  7,  at  Smyrna.  Del.,  July  28,  1855. 

Temple,  No.  8,  at  Milford,  Del.,  Oct.  27,  1855. 

Forrest  Sun,  No.  9,  at  Odessa,  Del.,  March  7.  1856. 

Morning  Star  No.  10,  at  Laurel,  Del.,  March  14,  1S59. 

Lincoln,  No.  11,  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  Oct.  31.  1866. 

Equal  Rights,  No.  12,  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  Dec.  14.  1SQ8. 
Evening  Star,  No.  13,  at  Wilmington.  Del.,  May  3,  1873. 

Lone  Star,  No.  14,  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  .Tune  20,  1873. 

Boyer,  No.  15.  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  June  20,  1873. 

No.  16.  located  in  Georgia. 

Centennial,  No.  17,  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  April  28,  1876. 

John  W?  Layton,  No.  18,  at  Wilmington,  Del. 

Levi  Anderson,  No.  19,  at  New  Castle,  Del.,  Dec.  10.  1883. 
Morning  Light,  No.  20,  at  Seaford,  Del.,  Dec.  10,  1883. 

Union,  No.  21,  at  Wilmington,  Del. 

Stone  Square,  No.  22,  at  Middletown,  Del.,  March  10,  1894. 
Frisby  J.  Cooper,  No.  23,  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  org.  May  19,  1S99. 

This  Grand  Lodge,  like  her  sister  Grand  Lodges,  ac- 
knowledges no  other  authority  superior  to  a State  Grand 
Lodge,  and  is  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  world.  It  was  formerly  known  under  the 
title  of  Hiram  Grand  Lodge,  but  now  as  M.  W.  Grand 
Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  for  the  State  of  Delaware  and  Juris- 
diction. This  Grand  Lodge  has  had  an  unbroken  record 
from  1849  to  1902. 

Endowment  Fund. — The  Endowment  Fund  was  organ- 
ized in  Smyrna,  Del.,  June  13th,  1898,  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 
R.  J.  Lewis  was  elected  chairman ; Thomas  S.  Anderson, 
secretary,  and  J.  H.  Murray,  treasurer.  The  Master  of 
each  subordinate  Lodge  was  made  a director.  The  amount 
of  dues  is  ten  cents  per  member,  to  be  collected  semi- 
annually by  the  Masters  and  paid  over  to  the  Treasurer. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America>  181 

This  organization,  has  grown  considerably  and  is  of 
great  benefit  to  the  widows  and  orphans. 

There  are  also  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Knights 
Templars,  Scottish  Rite  and  the  Adopted  Rite  in  this  State. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1849—1902. 


Levi  Anderson, 
Moses  G.  Wilson, 
R.  H.  Lewis, 
William  Blunt, 
Frisby  J.  Cooper, 


John  W.  Layton, 
Benj.  L.  Tomilson, 
Peter  S.  Williams, 
W.  H.  Calwell, 
Thomas  E.  Pasties. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1849—1902. 


Joseph  H.  Banks, 
John  E.  Young, 


W.  S.  Glasgow, 
S.  Y.  B.  Carty, 


J.  H.  Murray. 


182 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  NEW  JERSEY — 1845. 

St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  8,  located  at  Trenton,  N.  J., 
was  constituted  and  chartered  July  26th,  1845.  Rising 
Sun  Lodge,  No.  19,  located  at  Camden,  N.  J.,  was  consti- 
tuted and  chartered  May  13th,  1847.  Mount  Moriah 
Lodge,  No.  3,  located  at  Salem,  N.  J.,  was  established  De- 
cember 27th,  1848.  All  these  Lodges  were  chartered  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  and  remained  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania 
until  the  24th  day  of  June,  1848,  when  a convention  of  the 
Craft  was  held  at  Trenton  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State,  which  was  consummated  by 
the  election  of  the  following  grand  officers : M.  W.  G.  M., 
George  H.  Shreeves;  D.  G.  M.,  Benjamin  Jackson;  G.  Sec- 
retary, Joshua  Weedlin;  G.  Tiler,  Westley  Armstrong; 
S.  G.  W.,  Henry  H.  Rias;  J.  G.  W.,- George  Jackson;  G. 
Treasurer,  John  Black. 

The  title  of  this  Grand  Lodge  was  Union  Grand  Lodge, 
F.  A.  A.  M.,  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  but  is  now  known 
as  the  M.  W.  United  Grand  Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  of  the 
State  of  New  Jersey.  On  account  of  the  severity  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  during  the  administration  of  Benjamin 
Jackson,  in  1850,  the  members  of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  at 
Trenton,  and  a part  of  the  members  of  Rising  Sun  Lodge, 
at  Camden,  became  dissatisfied  with  Union  Grand  Lodge 
and  sought  cover  with  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  eventually  organized  another  Grand  Lodge. 
These  two  Grand  Lodges  united,  December  28th,  1875, 


v Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  183 

when  they  met  in  Camden  and  formed  the  present  Grand 
Lodge  with  the  following  officers: 

M.  W.  G.  M.,  C.  N.  Robinson,  D.  G.  M.,  Moses  Wilcox, 

S.  G.  W„  J.  Height  Bean,  J.  G.  W.,  Phillip  Golding, 

G.  Sec’y,  J-  Henry  Hall,  G.  Treas.,  Carter  Harris, 

G.  Lect’.,  John  W.  Mays,  G.  Tiler,  Isaac  Rodgers. 

At  a communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons 
(white,  1850)  for  New  Jersey,  the  question  was  put  to 
the  Grand  Master  (Pine)  as  to  whether  there  was  anything 
of  any  description  in  Freemasonry  that  prevented  the 
entrance  of  colored  men  as  candidates  for  the  honors  of 
the  Craft  ? Grand  Master  Pine  (who  could  not  do  other- 
wise) answered  that  there  was  nothing  in  Masonry  de- 
barring a man  of  color  from  its  great  rights  and  privi- 
leges. Nothing  more  was  said  on  the  subject,  but  later  on, 
a petition  was  received  praying  for  a dispensation  to  form 
a Lodge  in  the  city  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  under  the  name  of 
Alpha.  The  dispensation  was  granted  and  the  Lodge 
pursued  the  usual  course  of  time  and  circumstances  until, 
at  the  following  communication,  they  made  application  for 
a warrant  or  charter.  Not  the  slightest  breath  of  suspicion 
existed  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  Lodge  (Alpha)  to  admit 
colored  men  into  their  mystic  circle. 

Now,  when  the  time  came  in  which  to  institute  the  Lodge 
as  a chartered  body,  Grand  Master  Pine  heard  that  they 
were  about  to  admit  and  confer  the  degree  of  Masonry  on 
certain  colored  candidates.  He  came  to  the  meeting  of 
institution,  and  finding  that  such  was  the  case,  after  for- 
cibly telling  his  brethren  what  he  thought  of  such  un- 
heard of  and  imperiling  proceedings,  summarily  seized  the 
warrant  granted  them  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey. 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  matter,  of 
course,  came  up,  and  we  were  informed  by  one  of  their  most 
distinguished  officers  that  there  was  in  that  august  body  a 
very  marked  difference  of  opinion,  and  after  a tumultuous 
scene,  those  who  did  not  agree  with  the  way  the  Grand 
Master  had  managed  the  affair,  confronted  him  with  the 
decision  that  he  himself  had  given  as  to  the  nondisbarment 
of  candidates  on  account  of  the  color  of  their  skin. 
Finally,  the  Grand  Master  was  let  down  as  easily  as  pos-- 


JS4 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


sible  by  the  Grand  Lodge  ordering  the  immediate  restora- 
tion of  the  charter  with  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  pre- 
rogatives thereunto  belonging.  The  Lodge  still  exists  in 
the  city  of  Newark,  and  is  known  as  * Alpha  Lodge,  No. 

116,  F.  A.  A.  M. 

This  is  the  only  instance  in  the  United  States  of  a regu- 
lar Masonic  Lodge  of  colored  Masons  attached  to  a white 
Grand  Lodge.  Its  members  are  received  as  visitors  in  all 
the  white  Lodges  in  the  State.  Brother  Moore,  Grand 
Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  in  writing 
of  the  incident,  said : 

“Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  Pine  of  New  Jersey 
granted  a charter  for  colored  Masons.  It  is  to  be  started 
by  white  brethren,  who,  when  they  have  initiated  the 
requisite  number  of  colored  persons  and  qualified  them  to 
fill  the  offices,  will  resign  and  withdraw  their  membership, 
leaving  the  new  members  to  manage  for  themselves.  This 
Lodge  is  still  upon  the  register  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
Jersey,  and  it  is  the  only  one  in  the  United  States  at- 
tached to  a white  Grand  Lodge.” 

Foreign  Correspondence. 

Office  of  the  Grand  Master. 

Bordentown,  N.  J.,  Jan.  25,  1901,  A.  L.  5901. 
To  His  Highness,  King  Edward  AMI.  and  Grand  AIas- 
ter  of  Masons  in  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  : 

This  comes,  Greeting:  Be  it  known  that  I.  Joseph 

M.  Morgan,  G.  M.  of  this  Masonic  Jurisdiction,  F.  A.  A.  M., 
a branch  of  Prince  Hall  of  Boston.  Mass.,  U.  S.  A.,  express 
to  you  our  heartfelt  sympathy  in  the  death  of  your  beloved 
mother,  the  world’s  great  queen  ; and  also  extend  to  you 
our  hearty  congratulations  upon  your  accession  to  the 
throne  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  pray 
that  your  reign  may  be  equally  as  happy  and  prosperous 
as  that  of  your  lamented  mother,  the  Queen  ATietoria. 

In  behalf  of  our  jurisdiction, 

I am  yours,  fraternally, 

J.  Hi  Morgan.  G.  M. 


* See  Freemasons’  Magazine,  \Tol.  3,  p.  155,  Act  1S70, 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  185 

(Beply.) 

United  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 

Freemasons’  Hall,  Great  Queen  St.,  London,  W.  C., 

22  Feb.,  1901. 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother  : I have  received  the  commands 

of  the  King  to  ask  you  to  be  so  good  as  to  convey  to  the 
Lodges  that  you  represent  His  Majesty’s  grateful  thanks 
for  their  kind  and  fraternal  expressions  of  sympathy  with 
him  in  his  great  sorrow,  and  for  their  congratulations  and 
good  wishes  on  his  ascension  to  the  throne. 

I am,  dear  sir  and  brother, 

Yours  fraternally, 

E.  Letchworth, 

Grand  Secretary. 

Brother  J.  H.  Morgan. 

There  are  twenty-five  subordinate  Lodges  on  the  register. 
They  are  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  Masonic 
world,  and  have  their  Grand  Bepresentative  near  the  Grand 
East. 

Boyal  Arch  Masonry  was  established  in  the  State  of  Hew 
Jersey  as  early  as  1853,  when  St.  Paul’s  Chapter  of  Boyal 
Arch  Masons  was  chartered.  In  1854  two  other  Chapters 
were  organized,  and  the  Grand  Chapter  was  organized  at 
Trenton  by  these  three  Chapters  in  1854,  since  which  date 
Boyal  Chapters  have  been  established  throughout  the 
State. 

De  Molay  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  was  char- 
tered by  the  First  African  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  September,  1853.  This  Commandery  was  the 
only  one  in  the  State  for  many  years.  It  was  located  at 
Camden.  In  1865  and  1867  two  other  Commanderies  were 
chartered  by  the  same  authority,  and  on  the  21st  day  of 
October,  1881,  the  three  Commanderies  met  in  convention 
at  Camden  and  organized  a Grand  Commandery  by  the 
election  of  the  following  officers: 

R.  E.  G.  C.,  A.  T.  Bowman,  V.  E.  D.  G.  C.,  J.  T.  Derrickson, 
V.  E.  G.  G.  E.,  W.  H.  Jackson,  Y.  E.  G.  Capt.  G..  P.  T.  Colding, 
V.  E.  G.  Treas.,  J.  L.  Stevens,  Y.  E.  G.  Rec.,  J.  Henry  Hall. 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


iS6 


PRESENT  COMMANDERY  OFFICERS. 


R.  E. 
V.  E. 

y.  e. 


G.  C.,  N.  J.  Williams,  V.  E.  G.  Rec.,  P.  T.  Colding. 

G.  G.  E.,  J.  Connet,  V.  E.  D.  C.,  A.  H.  Newton, 

G.  Prel.,  W.  H.  Jones,  V.  E.  G.  Capt.  G.,  E.  A.  Turpen, 
V.  E.  G.  Treas.,W.  H.  Douglass. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1818—1902. 


George  H.  Sheeves 1848 — 1850 

Benjamin  Jackson  1850 — 1853 

Joshua  Weedlin  1853 — 1856 

Henry  H.  Rias  1856 — 1859 

George  Jackson  1859 — 1862 

James  Dolphin  1862 — 1868 

Dempsey  D.  Butler  1868 — 1869 

James  Woodland  1809 — 1874 

Charles  N.  Robinson  1874 — 1876 

Joshua  Gunby  1876—1877 

Philip  T.  Golding  1877—1878 

William  F.  Powell 1878—1879 

John  W.  Mays  1879 — 1880 

James  L.  Meeritt  1880 — 1881 

Paul  Hammond 1881—1882 

Philip  T.  Colding  18S2— 1S83 

George  Bailey  1883 — 1884 

Francis  Farmer  1884—1885 

John  H.  Teabout  1885 — 1886 

Frank  Chapman  1886 — 1887 

William  J.  Douglass  1887 — 1888 

Henry  D.  Ruffin  188S— 1889 

John  Denise 1889 — 1890 

Nathan  J.  Williams  1890 — 1891 

Walter  Miller  1891—1892 

William  H.  Butts  1892—1893 

John  H.  White 1893 — 1§94 

Thomas  W.  Harris  1894 — 1895 

F.  M.  T.  Webster  1895—1897 

Charles  Hill  1897— 1S98 

J.  Height  Bean  1898 — 1899 

Joseph  H.  Morgan 1899 — -1900 

John  H.  Morgan 1900—1902 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  187 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  VIRGINIA — 1845. 

Universal  Lodge,  No.  10,  now  No.  12,  was  chartered 
and  constituted  August  26th,  1845,  A.  L.  5845,  by- 
Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  with  the  following 
officers:  W.  M.,  George  Sims;  S.  W.,  Edward  Evans; 

J.  W.,  Denis  Bourbon;  S.  D.,  James  Evans;  J.  D., 
Ephraim  Barcroft;  Treasurer,  Richard  Garret;  Secretary, 
Joseph  L.  Gibson. 

This  Lodge  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Penn- 
sylvania until  March  27th,  1848,  when  it  assisted  in  the 
organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. It  worked  under  said  Grand  Lodge  until  1865,  when 
it  joined  in  the  convention  to  form  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Virginia,  October  29th,  1865.  Universal  was  the  first 
Lodge  established  in  Virginia.  In  1865  three  other 
Lodges  located  in  Petersburg  were  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland.  In  1865  the  Craft  met  in  convention 
and  organized  a Grand  Lodge  for  Virginia  by  the  election 
of  R.  W.  Brother  Anthony  A.  Portlock,  Grand  Master, 
Rev.  John  J.  Jasper,  Grand  Secretary,  and  other  grand 
officers.  This  Grand  Lodge  was  represented  in  1865  for 
the  first  time  at  the  meeting  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge, 
held'  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  by  its  Grand  Master,  Anthony 
A.  Portlock,  and  Rev.  J.  J.  jasper,  its  Grand  Secretary. 
Since  organizing  it  has  chartered  a large  number  of  Lodges, 
held  its  regular  communications,  elected  grand  officers,  and- 
is  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  Masonic  world. 
Among  its  most  distinguished  Grand  Masters  and  Sec-' 
retaries  from  1865  to  1902  may  be  found  the  names  of 
Anthony  A.  Portlock,  J.  W.  Jasper,  James  H.  Hayes, 


188 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


James  H.  Jones,  Douglas  Johnson,  A.  B.  Campbell,  John 
W.  Towey,  John  B.  Montgomery,  Thomas  G.  Gladman, 
Benjamin  A.  Graves,  A.  M.  Jones,  Samuel  Kelly,  II. 
Emmet  Jones,  P.  B.  Ramsey.  Grand  Secretaries  from 
1865  to  1902,  J.  J.  Jasper,  William  H.  Green,  W.  A.  Stew- 
art, T.  J.  Edwards,  H.  L.  Harris. 

Royal  Arch  Masonry  was  introduced  in  this  State  early 
in  the  year  1865.  Union  Grand  ChapteT  of  Maryland 
chartered  and  established  Rising  Sun  Chapter,  Xo.  6, 
located  in  Alexandria,  Ya.  This  Cnapter  assisted  in  or- 
ganizing the  Grand  Chapter  in  the  District  of'  Columbia 
in  1866,  and  shortly  afterwards  joined  in  the  organization 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Virginia.  There  are  also  regu- 
larly organized  Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars,  Scot- 
tish Rite  and  grand  governing  bodies  of  the  same. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  189 


CHAPTER  XX. 

ORIGIN  OF  NATIONAL  GRAND  LODGE — 1847. 

In  the  year  A.  D.  1828,  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  5,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  working  under  the  authority  of  the 
first  Independent  African  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  located  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  was  ex- 
pelled by  said  Grand  Lodge  for  contumacy.  In  1833,- 
James  Miller,  formerly  of  Harmony  Lodge  (expelled), 
made  application  to  a Masonic  Lodge  (white  Masons) 
located  at  Norristown,  Pa.,  for  a warrant.  The  said 
Lodge,  in  consideration  of  one  hundred  and'  twenty-five 
($125)  dollars,  granted  and  delivered  to  James  Miller  a 
warrant,  alleged  to  have  been  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ohio  (white),  and  this  fraudulent  warrant  created  James 
Miller,  W.  M. ; John  H.  Mathews,  S.  W.,  and  George  W. 
Hilton,  J.  W.  The  Lodge  was  organized  under  the  title 
of  Independent  Harmony  Lodge,  working  under  and  by 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  (white).  The  said 
Harmony  Lodge  met  in  convention  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
on  July  17th,  1837,  and  under  the  supposed  authority  of 
the  Ohio  warrant  organized  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania. This  illegal  body  existed  under  its  fraudulent 
warrant  for  ten  years,  notwithstanding  the  protest  of 
African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  which  was  the  reg- 
ular Grand  Lodge  constituted  by  proper  authority.  This 
body  appealed  to  the  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass. 
P.  G.  M.  John  T.  Hilton  of  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts,  in  1847,  prompted  by  Masonic  zeal,  pro- 
ceeded to  check  and  purify  this  unmasonic  stream  by  pre- 
senting to  the  mother  Grand  Lodge  plans  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a National  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  approved.  A 


190  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

proclamation  was  issued  by  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  for 
a general  assembly  of  the  Craft,  to  convene  on  St.  John’s 
day,  June  24th,  A.  D.  1847,  in  the  city  of  Boston,  Mass., 
for  the  purpose  of  healing  differences  and  perfecting  a 
permanent  union  and  correcting  the  errors  of  the  said 
Harmony  Grand  Lodge  and  abolishing  the  same.  In 
obedience  to  the  proclamation  the  delegates  assembled  on 
the  above  date,  representing  the  following  Grand  Lodges: 

Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge,  Boston,  Mass. — Brothers 
John  T.  Hilton,  Henry  Harris  and  William  A.  Bruce. 

African  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America,  Philadelphia, 
Pa. — Brothers  James  Bird,  Dr.  James  J.  G.  Bias  and 
James  Richmond. 

Hiram  Grand  Lodge  (which  held  the  fraudulent  war- 
rant).— Brothers  Samuel  Van  Brackle,  Phillip  Buc-khanan, 
Emory  Cronikin,  James  Newman,  Jonathan  Lopeman, 
James  Powell  and  John  Anderson. 

Boyer  Grand  Lodge,  New  York. — Brothers  Alexander 
Elston,  William  H.  Clark  and  Lewis  Hayden. 

The  delegates  from  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  were  healed  in 
ample  form,  after  which  a temporary  organization  was  per- 
fected by  electing  M.  W.  Brother  John  T.  Hilton  presiding 
officer  and  R.  W.  Brother  William  E.  Ambush  secretary.  A 
resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  to  organize  a National 
Grand  Lodge,  under  the  title  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Ancient  York  Masons  of  the  United 
States,  of  North  America.  The  said  organization  was  per- 
fected by  the  election  of  John  T.  Hilton,  M.  W.  N.  G.  M. ; 
James  Bird.  R.  W.  N.  D.  G.  M. ; Samuel  Van  Brakle,  D. 
D.  N.  G.  M.  for  the  Middle  States ; George  C.  Willis,  D.  D. 
N.  G.  M.  for  the  Eastern  States ; Enos  Hall,  N.  S.  G.  W. ; 
Emory  Cronikin,  N.  G.  J.  W. ; James  Newman,  N.  G.  T. ; 
William  E.  Ambush,  N.  G.  Secretary.  The  national  grand 
body  proceeded  to  investigate  and  heal  all  persons  who 
were  made  Masons  under  the  warrant  of  Hiram  Grand 
Lodge.  The  grand  officers  soon  accomplished  this  work 
and  brought  about  a united  Craft  in  the  bonds  of  brotherly 
love  by  erasing  all  that  did  not  come  regularly  through 
Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass.  It  was  pro- 
vided by  the  convention  that  subordinate  Lodges  that  had 
received  their  warrants  from  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of 


Among1  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  191 

Massachusetts,  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
other  Grand  Lodges  regularly  organized,  should  not  sur- 
render their  inherent  rights  of  maintaining  Grand  Lodges 
or  of  any  three  Lodges  or  more  forming  a Grand  Lodge  in 
their  respective  jurisdictions  where  there  was  no  regular 
Grand  Lodge  organized.  Provided,  further,  that  the 
Grand  Lodges  forming  the  convention  shall  recognize  the 
National  Grand  Lodge  as  the  supreme  Masonic  authority 
of  the  United  States  and  take  out  warrants  subordinate 
thereto.  For  twenty-five  years  the  national  body  did  good 
work  in  keeping  the  Masonic  stream  pure.  It  propa- 
gated and  diffused  ancient  Craft  Masonry  as  it  was  received 
from  the  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  London,  England,  in 
1717. 

In  1847  the  Grand  Lodges  then  in  existence  were, 
Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston,  Mass.,  with  a 
number  of  subordinate  Lodges  in  the  Eastern  and  Mid- 
dle States;  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Hiram  Grand  Lodge,  with  subordinate  Lodges  in  Penn- 
sylvania, District  of  Columbia,  Maryland,  Delaware,  Ohio, 
California  and  Virginia;  Boyer  Grand  Lodge  in  New 
York,  with  three  Lodges  and  the  two  Lodges  in  Rhode 
Island,  sent  representatives  to  Boston  to  organize  the  Na- 
tional Grand  Lodge.  Harmony  prevailed  throughout  the 
States  until  the  national  grand  officers  formed  a Grand 
Lodge  in  New  York,  October  13th,  1848,  with  six  Lodges. 
The  old  Grand  Lodge  continued  as  an  independent  Grand 
Lodge.  The  National  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  annual  ses- 
sion in  1849,  expelled  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York 
with  three  of  its  subordinates.  This  was  followed  by  a 
schism  in  Pennsylvania,  and  an  independent  Grand  Lodge 
was  formed  there.  This  caused  one  Lodge  and  several  in- 
dividual Masons  to  be  expelled  by  the  National  Grand 
Lodge.  In  New  Jersey  Masons  were  also  expelled  for  dis- 
obedience. 

The  National  Grand  Lodge  was  continually  upon  the  war 
path.  The  colored  brother  believed  like  his  white  brother, 
in  State  rights,  and  hence  the  fight. 

In  1850  the  National  Grand  Lodge  decided  to  meet 
triennially.  (See  proceedings  for  1856,  1862,  1865  and 
1875.) 


\92 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


The  constitution  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  classed  all 
Grand  Lodges  not  holding  under  it  as  spurious  and  clan- 
destine, which  was  not  a fact,  because  all  Masonic  Grand 
Lodges  and  Symbolic  Lodges  in  the  LTnited  States  had 
been  regularly  constituted  in  accordance  with  ancient 
usage  and  customs.  However,  in  the  fierce  contest  between 
the  Nationals  and  the  Independents,  the  Nationals  grad- 
ually lost  ground  and  held  their  last  meeting  in  1877. 

The  real  purpose  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  was  mu- 
tual advice  and  co-operation  and  the  unifying  of  work  in 
the  different  jurisdictions.  Even  then  many  of  the  best 
informed  Masons  questioned  seriously  its  wisdom,  it  being 
so  foreign  to  the  ancient  customs.  But  so  long  as  it  re- 
mained true  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  organized, 
simply  advisory,  it  accomplished  some  good  and  was  ac- 
ceptable to  the  Craft.  But  in  the  course  of  time  it  assumed 
the  name  and  then  usurped  the  functions  of  a Grand 
Lodge.  Attempting  to  reduce  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the 
various  States  to  the  status  of  subordinates,  this  assump- 
tion and  usurpation  led  to  its  downfall.  The  last  printed 
minutes  were  of  the  session  held  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1874. 
There  were  present  at  that  meeting  fourteen  persons. 
Before  the  time  for  the  next  triennial  session  nearly  all  of 
the  Grand  Lodges  in  the  compact  had  withdrawn,  among 
which  was  that  of  Missouri,  in  whose  jurisdiction  the  ses- 
sion was  to  meet.  This  left  the  National  Grand  Lodge 
without  even  a lodge  room  to  meet  in.  However,  in  1877, 
the  few  remaining  individual  members  held  a meeting  in 
Wilmington,  Del.,  and  passed  the  following  resolution: 

“Resolved,  That  each  State  is  its  Sovereign  head  and  that  each 
delegate  be  directed  to  report  to  his  State  Grand  Lodge  the  action 
taken  by  this  body.  And  be  it  further 

“Resolved,  That  the  National  or  Compact  Grand  Lodge  is.  and 
the  same  is  hereby  declared  to  be  an  irregular  and  unheard  of  body 
in  Masonry,  and  it  is  hereby  declared  forever  void.” 

This  was  unanimously  adopted  and  thus  the  National 
Grand  Lodge  ceased.  There  is  but  one  Grand  Lodge  of 
colored  Masons  to-day  in  each  State,  all  hailing  from 
England,  through  the  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Boston, 
Mass.  During  the  one  hundred  }Tears  and  over  of  organ- 


Among-  the  Colored  People  In  North  America.  193 

ized  Freemasonry  among  colored  men  in  America,  there  is 
not  one  case  where  a Lodge  ever  admitted  a slave  to  mem- 
bership. They  were  all  freemen. 

There  are  now  Grand  Lodges  (colored)  in  nearly  all  the 
States.  (See  table  of  Lodges,  etc.)  Lodges  that,  were 
organized  by  the  National  Grand  Lodge  have  long  since 
been  healed  and  rechartered  under  their  several  Grand 
Lodges.  There  are  no  such  Masons  as  Nationals  and  In- 
dependents in  the  LTnited  States.  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons may  be  found  in  every  State  and  Territory,  working 
under  a State  Grand  Lodge,  duly  established  by  three  or 
more  regularly  warranted  Lodges,  duly  assembled  in  con- 
vention for  that  purpose. 


“In  the  still  air  the  music  lies  unheard; 

In  the  rough  marble  beauty  lies  unseen; 

To  make  the  music  and  the  beauty,  needs 

The  Master’s  touch,  the  sculptor’s  chisel  keen. 

“Great  Master,  touch  us  with  Thy  skilful  hand; 

Let  not  the  music  that  is  in  us  die! 

Great  Sculptor,  hew  and  polish  us,  nor  let 
Hidden  and  lost,  Thy  form  within  us  lie! 

“Spare  not  the  stroke;  do  with  us  as  Thou  wilt; 

Let  there  be  naught  unfinished,  broken,  marred; 

Complete  Thy  purpose,  that  we  may  . become 
Thy  perfect  image,  Thou  our  God  and  Lord!” 

A Coloeed  Man  Admitted  in  a White  Masonic 
Lodge. — N.  G.  M.  Paul  Drayton,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Ex-Governor  E.  H.  Gleaves,  I860,  was  the  son  of  W.  H. 
Drayton  of  South  Carolina,  who  was  a member  of  Congress 
from  that  State  (see  Secret  Journals  of  Congress,  p^  86, 
1775-88).  The  mother  of  Paul  was  a mulatto  woman. 
Paul  was  born  in  1785,  in  Charleston,  S.  C.,  reared  in  the 
State  and  attended  school  with  the  white  children.  He 
was  initiated,  passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of 
Master  Mason  in  one  of  the  white  Lodges  in  Charleston. 
Ao  one  knew  that  he  had  negro  blood  in  his  veins  but  his 
mother  and  father.  In  1828  he  moved  to  New  York  city, 
where  he  took  an  active  part  in  Freemasonry,  and  became 
National  Grand  Master.  P.  N.  G.  M.  Richard  H.  Gleaves 


J94 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


was  his  Deputy  Grand  Master.  This  is  only  one  instance 
of  the  many,  where  colored  men  have  received  the  honors 
of  Freemasonry  in  Lodges  composed  of  white  brethren 
in  the  United  States.  This  is  the  only  country  in  the 
world  where  the  color  of  a man’s  skin  is  a bar  to  his  visiting 
Masonic  Lodges  composed  of  white  brethren.  However, 
this  does  not  apply  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  for  it  is 
a well-known  fact  that  colored  men  have  been  made  Ma- 
sons in  the  white  Lodges  and  are  members  to-day  in  good 
standing  and  so  recognized  by  their  white  brothers.  The 
same  is  true  of  New  Jersey. 

This  session  was  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md. 

In  the  year  1865,  A.  L.  5865,  there  were  only  fourteen 
colored  Masonic  Grand  Lodges  in  the  United  States  with 
a membership  of  2,716,  as  follows: 

Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  Lewis  Hay- 
den, G.  M.,  and  Edward  C.  Rheeler,  G.  S.,  membership  109. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  William  H.  Riley,  G.  M., 
and  A.  S.  Cassey,  G.  S.,  membership  569. 

Union  Grand  Lodge,  District  of  Columbia,  William  H. 
Thomas,  G.  M.,  and  Solomon  G.  Brown,  G.  S.,  member- 
ship 246. 

Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  Lewis  A.  Hood,  G.  M.,  and 
T.  W.  S.  Titus,  G.  ,S.,  membership  347. 

Union  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  George  W.  Wilboam, 
G.  M.,  and  Samuel  W.  Chase,  G.  S.,  membership  318. 

Harmony  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware,  James  G.  Walker, 
G.  M.,  and  W.  H.  Caldwell,  G.  S.,  membership  35. 

Harmony  Grand  Lodge  of  Rhode  Island,  J.  A.  Creigh- 
ton, G.  M.,  and  E.  B.  Hebrew,  G.  S.,  membership  92. 

Grand  Lodge  for  New  Jersey,  James  Dolphin,  G.  M., 
and  James  Woodland.  G.  S.,  membership  109. 

Grand  Lodge  for  Ohio,  John  Jones,  G.  M.,  and  J.  R. 
Blackburn,  G.  S.,  membership  531. 

Grand  Lodge  for  California,  John  R.  Barber,  G.  M., 
and  S.  Howard,  G.  S. ; membership  40. 

Grand  Lodge  for  Indiana,  James  S.  Hinton,  G.  M., 
and  J.  Burdine,  G.  S. ; membership  87. 

Grand  Lodge  for  Virginia,  Anthony  A.  Portloek,  G.  M., 
and  J.  W.  Jasper,  G.  S. ; membership  125. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  \95 

Grand  Lodge  for  Michigan,  John  W.  Harrison,  G.  M., 
and  William  Roberson,  G.  S. 

Four  years  after  the  session  in  Baltimore  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  under  the  lead  of  Hon. 
John  F.  Cook,  issued  the  following,  to  wit: 

DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

M.  W.,  John  F.  Cook,  Grand  Master,  1005  Sixteenth 
street,  Washington  City.  R.  W.,  Carter  A.  Stewart,  Grand 
Secretary,  1005  Sixteenth  street,  Washington  City. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Ancient  Masons 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  occupies  the  most  important 
position  of  any  of  our  Grand  Lodges  in  the  United  States. 
For,  since  the  disenthrallment  of  our  people,  and  their 
elevation  to  citizenship,  their  appointment  and  election  to 
offices  of  trust  and  emolument,  Washington  City  has  be- 
come the  centre  of  attraction  to  those  of  us  who  are  seek- 
ing position  and  employment  in  the  Government.  Persons 
of  this  class  are  usually  members  of  this  Fraternity,  and 
upon  their  arrival  in  Washington  they  naturally  seek  out 
their  brethren  in  the  Fraternity.  Again,  nearly  all  of  the 
officers  of  this  Grand  Lodge  are  in  public  places  of  some 
kind,  and  they  are  not  to  be  overlooked.  The  position 
taken  by  this  Grand  Lodge  at  the  quarterly  session,  October 
6th,  1869,  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  and  is  felt  more 
sensibly,  coming,  as  it  doe  , from  the  heart  of  the  nation. 
The  reasons  set  forth  in  the  manifesto  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  are  sound  and  logical,  and  we 
deem  them  not  irrelevant  in  this  place.  They  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

“Preamble  and  resolutions  parsed  at  the  quarterly 
session  of  the  Mo:t  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  and 
A.  A.  Y.  M.,  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  held  at  Wash- 
ington, October  6th,  1869,  A.  L.  5869. 

“Whereas,  This  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  is  in 
receipt  of  a circular  letter,  under  the  signatures  of  the 
Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Master  and  the  Right 
Worshipful  National  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Most  Wor- 
shipful National  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  A.  Y.  M.,  of 
the  United  States  of  North  America,  and  the  seal  thereof, 


196  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

said  circular  letter  directing  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand 
Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  A.  Y.  M.,  for  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  the  Masonic  jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging,  to 
cease  Masonic  intercourse  with  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand 
Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  its  jurisdiction ; and, 

“Whereas,  Said  circular  letter  contains,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge,  an  order  to 
which  we  do  enter  our  most  solemn  protest,  for  the  reasons 
as  follows : It  being  utterly  subversive  of  that  sovereignty 

of  character  inherent  in  and  appertaining  to  a Grand 
Lodge,  which  is  universally  conceded  by  Masons  from  the 
earliest  incipiency  of  Grand  Lodges,  to  be  supreme  in  its 
own  jurisdiction,  both  as  to  the  government  of  its  own 
immediate  membership,  and  its  regulation  of  its  (the 
membership’s)  intercourse  with  other  Grand  Lodge  juris- 
dictions, and  limited  only  by  the  ancient  landmarks,  usages 
and  customs  of  our  Order,  having  a like  force  by  reason 
of  their  great  character  and  antiquity,  and  by  its  own  self- 
made  Constitution  or  General  Regulations.  We  do  enter 
our  most  solemn  protest,  for  the  reason  that  said  order,  as 
set  forth  in  said  letter,  is  wholly  contrary  and  onposed  to 
the  genius  and  spirit  of  our  ancient  and  honorable  Order, 
which  has  never  recognized  any  such  authority  as  delegated, 
by  which  a supreme  organization,  a Grand  Lodge,  is  made 
subordinate  to  another  Grand  Body,  and  in  violation  of 
the  declaration  of  sentiment,  made  by  the  National  Con- 
vention that  formed  the  National  Compact,  when  in  the 
City  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  June  23d,  A.  D.  1847. 
A.  L.  5847,  it  proclaimed  to  the  world,  Ghat  we  do 
acknowledge  all  genuine  Masons  of  all  nations  and  shades 
of  complexion  to  be  our  brethren’ ; and  it  is  our  opinion,  in 
this  connection,  that  our  brethren  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio  and 
its  Masonic  jurisdiction,  have  done  nothing  to  affect  their 
genuineness  as  Masons,  by  simply  withdrawing,  in  a proper 
manner,  after  due  consideration,  their  connection  with  the 
National  Grand  Lodge,  which  connection  said  circular 
letter  concedes  was  voluntarily  given,  and,  in  their  action 
of  absolving  itself  from  the  National  Compact,  they  give 
a logical  reason  for  its  being  voluntarily  withdrawn. 

“We  protest  most  solemnly  against  said  order  for  the 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  197 

reason  that  the  momentous  importance  of  the  action  of 
the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its 
Masonic  jurisdiction  was  such  as  required  the  call  for  a 
general  assembly  of  the  other  members  of  the  National 
Compact  according  to  the  prescribed  form  calling  special 
communications,  and  not  hastily  determined  upon  by  the 
finite  wisdom  of  any  one  person,  clothed  with  a power 
which,  from  the  very  abnormal  and  doubtful  character  of 
the  National  Grand  Lodge  as  to  its  relationship  to  the 
idea  of  State  jurisdictional  sovereignties,  renders  the  use 
of  such  power  questionable,  even  when  exercised  in  the 
promotion  of  a fuller  and  more  perfect  union  of  the  Craft, 
and  more  especially  when  used  for  our  further  sundering 
and  disintegration. 

“We  do  enter  our  most  solemn  protest,  for  the  reason 
further,  that  it  places  us  in  a very  unsatisfactory  and 
mutually  antagonistic  relation  to  a very  large  number 
of  our  brethren,  peopling  a vast  area  of  our  common 
country,  and  snperadded  to  a former  edict  of  like  character, 
relative  to  Eureka  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  which 
placed  us  in  a similar  attitude  to  the  craft  in  the  great 
Southwest,  thus  depriving  many,  very  many,  of  us,  whom 
business,  duty,  etc.,  might,  or  rather  do.  call  to  those  great 
sections  of  our  country,  of  the  blessings,  favors  and  benefi- 
cent protection  and  assistance  of  our  great  Brotherhood; 
and, 

“ Whereas , In  view  of  the  very  deplorable  divisions  ex- 
isting among  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  the  United  States, 
said  divisions  arising  not  from  any  general  individual  dif- 
ferences, but  rather  from  contrarient  and  illogical  organi- 
zation in  the  same  jurisdictions,  and  believing  that  at  this 
moment,  when  disunion  is  greatest,  there  must  be,  from 
the  very  nature  of  Masonry,  a like  correlative  desire  for 
unity,  provided  a practical  plan  of  LTnion  can  be  pre- 
sented, and  that  all  true  and  observant  Craftsmen  must 
see  the  necessity  of  a better  understanding,  and  of  reforma- 
tion of  our  organizations  in  a manner  honorable  alike  to 
each,  and  advantageous  equally  to  all ; therefore, 

“Be  it  Resolved,  by  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge 
of  F.  and  A.  A.  A".  M.,  for  the  District  of  Columbia : 

“That  the  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Lodge  of 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


198 


F.  and  A.  A.  Y.  M.  of  the  United  States  of  North  America, 
to  which  we  hold  a voluntary  allegiance,  is  requested  by 
this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  A.  Y.  M., 
for  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  Masonic  jurisdiction 
thereunto  belonging,  to  issue  a call  to  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity of  the  United  States  to  meet  in  a General  Masonic 
Convention  in  Washington,  the  capital  of  the  United 
States,  or  elsewhere,  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  a more 
general  and  perfect  union,  either  with  one  Grand  Lodge 
for  the  United  States,  and  no  State.  Jurisdictional  Grand 
Lodges,  or  else  with  only  State,  or  Jurisdictional  Grand 
Lodges,  and  no  such  illogical  innovation  as  a Grand  Lodge 
holding  jurisdiction  over  another  Grand  Lodge  as  its 
subordinate. 

“Be  it  Resolved,  further,  by  this  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Lodge  that  the  aforesaid  National  Grand  Lodge,  at 
the  Special  Communication  that  must  be  holden  for  the 
purpose  of  issuing  the  requested  call  for  said  National 
Convention  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  the  LTnited  States, 
do  then,  as  an  evidence  of  its  desire  for  a more  perfect 
union  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  generally,  throughout 
the  United  States,  makes  a formal  abandonment  of  its 
organization  as  such,  regarded  as  it  is  by  many  of  its  now 
adherents  and  better  jurists  as  illogical  and  untenable  in 
its  relationship  to  State  or  jurisdictional  Grand  Lodges  as 
subordinate. 

“Be  it  Resolved,  further,  by  this  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Lodge,  that  unless  some  such  action  is  taken,  with 
a view  of  harmonizing  the  different,  organizations  of 
Masons  throughout  the  country,  we  shall  feel  constrained 
by  our  convictions  of  duty,  which  we  owe  to  the  Masonic 
Fraternity,  ourselves  included,  a duty  which  we  hold  as 
forced  upon  us  by  existing  circumstances,  to  withdraw  our 
voluntarily  assumed  relationship  from  the  National  Com- 
pact, and  thus  maintaining  a logical  consistency  as  a 
Grand  Lodge  in  our  territorial  jurisdiction,  seek  to  unite 
the  different  Masonic  organizations  in  our  midst,  hoping 
that  other  Grand  Lodge  jurisdictions  will  do  the  same, 
then  an  intermasonic  comity  between  State  Grand  Lodge 
jurisdictions  will  be  the  resulting  sequence. 

“Be  it  Resolved,  further,  by  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  199 

Lodge,  that  in  setting  forth  this  declaration  of  sentiment 
of  seeming  antagonism  to  what  our  relationship  has  been 
to  the  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Lodge,  that  it 
is  with  no  feeling  of  unkindness,  but  with  a feeling  of 
single  regret,  receiving,  as  we  do,  from  those  of  us  who 
assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  National  Compact,  the 
assurance  that  its  purpose  was  not  a mere  desire  for  rule, 
but  for  the  better  securing  of  a fuller  and  more  perfect 
union  among  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  to  assert  our 
character  as  Masons  before  the  world,  embarrassed  as  we 
then  were,  by  the  peculiarity  of  our  relationship,  as  a class, 
to  the  body  politic,  yet  having  failed  in  the  obtaining  of 
that  unity  of  the  Fraternity,  as  we  see  evidenced  daily  in 
every  jurisdiction,  the  different  Masonic  organizations 
extending  and  consolidating  themselves  in  their  mutually 
independent  relationships,  we  are  therefore,  compelled  to 
assume  this  attitude,  with  the  purpose  of  a united  effort 
to  secure,  in  this  jurisdiction,  at  least,  one  Grand  Lodge 
of  all  true  Masons,  of  all  shades  and  all  complexions. 
“John  F.  Cook  * Grand  Master, 

“C.  A.  Stewart,  E.  W.  Grand  Secretary. 

“Address  J.  F.  Cook,  384  Sixteenth  street,  Washington, 
D.  C.” 

This  manifesto  was  passed  by  a very  large  majority  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  36  to  7,  and  that,  too,  in  the  very 
presence  of  the  M.  W.  National  Grand  Master,  after  he 
had  spoken  one  hour  and  a half. 

The  Fight  in  Maryland,  Led  by  Brother  John  J. 
Brown. — We  are  proud  to  be  able  to  state  that  there  is  a 
waking  up  to  the  true  philosophy  of  Masonry,  that  shall 
yet  shake  the  foundation  stones  of  our  National  innova- 
tions. 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  and  were  offered  by  the  Committee 
on  Foreign  Correspondence: 

“Resolved,  That  we  hail  with  exceeding  great  joy  the 
formation  of  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodges  of  Florida,  Tennes- 

*Official  records  N.  G.  L.,  Oct.  6,  1869.  pp.  18-21. 

(See  Table  of  Membership.) 


200  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

see  and  Alabama ; that  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary- 
land extend  toward  them  our  fraternal  recognition  and 
congratulation,  and  welcome  them  as  M.  W.  Grand  Bodies 
of  the  great  family  of  the  mystic  tie. 

“Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be  instructed  to 
give  each  Grand  Lodge  formal  notice  of  the  same  and  re- 
quest a regular  Masonic  correspondence. 

“We  rejoice  in  the  hope  that  this  fundamental  principle 
will,  ere  long,  be  recognized  by  colored  Masons  throughout 
the  United  States.  We  heartily  endorse  the  call,  as  pro- 
posed by  M.  W.  William  T.  Boyd,  Grand  Master  of  Ohio, 
for  a convention  of  colored  Masons.  That  the  time  may 
be  hastened  when  unity,  peace  and  concord  shall  infuse 
their  benign ' influences  into  their,  hearts  and  minds,  and 
they  will  be  able  to  salute  each  other  as  brothers.” 

M.  W.  John  J.  Brown,  Grand  Master. 

R.  W.  Richard  F.  Jones,  Grand  Secretary. 


ERECTED  NATIONAL  GRAND  MASTERS.  1847—1877. 

John  T.  Hilton,  Richard  H.  Gleaves, 

Paul  Drayton,  William  Darnes, 

Enos  Hall. 

ELECTED  GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1847—1877. 
William  E.  Ambush,  James  Richmond,  Jonathan  Davis. 


THE  MOST  DISTINGUISHED  COLORED  MASON 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  NOW  LIVING. 

Richard  Howell  Gleaves  has  done  more  in  spreading 
Masonry  in  the  United  States  than  any  other  man.  He 
was  bom  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  July  4th,  1819.  His  father 
was  a native  of  Hayti,  West  Indies;  his  mother  (white) 
was  a native  of  England.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  his  native  city,  and  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  La.  He 
was  initiated,  passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of 
Master  Mason  in  the  year  1846  in  Laurel  Lodge,  No.  2, 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  T a.  The  said  Lodge  was  work- 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  201 

ing  under  a warrant  granted  by  the  first  African  Grand 
Lodge  of  North  America,  with  headquarters  at  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  Its  original  authority  was  obtained 
■from  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  in  1797. 

By  special  request  Brother  Gleaves  received  the  Past 
Master's  degree  by  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  special 
work,  and  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  for 


the  district  west  and  south  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains. 
At  this  time  the  Pennsylvania  Freemasons  were  much  per- 
secuted by  Governor  Eitner  and  his  State  officers  all  over 
the  State.  In  many  places  Freemasons  were  afraid  to 
meet.  Notwithstanding  the  opposition,  Brother  Gleaves 
succeeded  in  establishing  St.  Cyprien  Lodge,  No.  13,  in 


202  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  about  the  middle  of  November, 
1846,  and  was  the  first  Master  of  said  Lodge. 

In  the  year  1847,  Brother  Gleaves  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  found  a bogus  Lodge  of  colored  men  at  work 
as  Freemasons.  Brother  Gleaves  denounced  the  Lodge  as 
bogus  and  without  legal  authority.  A committee  of  white 
Masons  called  on  him,  with  Deputy  Grand  Master  Draper 
as  spokesman,  and.  inquired  of  the  standing  of  this  True 
American  Lodge,  from  whom  they  had  received  their  char- 
ter and  who  represented  them.  The  committee  was  in- 
formed that  they  were  represented  by  the  Rev.  II.  Galbraith. 
Zion  M.  E.  Church,  who  had  stated  that  Harmony  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  received  its  charter  of  authority 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
Ohio  (white),  and  that  the  said  charter  was  granted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio  during  a session  held  in 
the  Town  Hall  of  Chillicothe,  Ohio. 

By  request  of  Brother  Gleaves  this  committee  of  white 
brethren  invited  the  Rev.  Galbraith  and  Brother  Gleaves, 
with  a committee  of  each  side,  to  meet  them  on  a certain 
day,  then  named,  for  investigation,  so  that  the  matter  could 
be  settled  for  all  time.  Rev.  Galbraith  claimed  authority, 
and  Brother  Gleaves  disputed  his  authority  and  denounced 
him  in  public  as  a bogus  Freemason. 

Pursuant  to  notice  all  the  parties  met  in  the  recep- 
tion room  of  the  white  Grand  Lodge  Hall  in  the  city  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio.  After  a complete  examination  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  books  from  its  organization  to  date  (1847), 
it  was  found,  first,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  had  never 
met  in  the  town  of  Chillicothe,  or  in  any  other  city  or 
town  in  the  State  except  Cincinnati ; second,  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ohio  (white),  never  granted  a charter,  warrant 
or  dispensation  to  a body  of  colored  men,  either  in  or  out 
of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and.  third,  it  was  the  unanimous 
opinion  of  the  committee  (white)  that  the  body  presided 
over  by  Galbraith  was  bogus  and  without  authority  as 
Freemasons  and  should  not  be  recognized  by  the  legal 
Freemasons ; and  it  was  also  the  opinion  of  the  committee 
that  the  authority  of  R.  H.  Gleaves,  representing  the  First 
African  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America  (colored)  was 
satisfactory,  and  from  examination  they  were  believed  to 


Among  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  203 

be  genuine  and  legal  Freemasons.  This  report  was  made 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  (white),  and  the  question  was  finally 
settled. 

B.  H.  Gleaves,  by  the  authority  of  First  Independent 
African  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America,  organized  and  es- 
tablished Corinthian  Lodge,  No.  1.  He  received  and  made 
Masons  of  twenty-seven  men  of  the  bogus  Lodge,  and  there- 
by established  the  True  American  Lodge,  No.  2.  In  the 
year  1848,  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania,  he  organized  and  established  St.  John’s 
Lodge,  No.  3,  all  located  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

The  same  j^ear  K.  H.  Gleaves  was  sent  to  Boston,  Mass., 
for  the  purpose  of  consulting  with  the  National  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  that  had  been  established 
in  June,  1847,  relative  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  by  the 
brethren  in  Ohio  in  the  formation  and  establishing  of  a 
State  Grand  Lodge,  and  in  1849  the  State  Grand  Lodge  for 
Ohio  was  established  in  ample  form,  etc.,  working  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  North 
America,  Brother  Thomas  W.  Stringer,  first  Grand  Master, 
and  Brother  Bichard  Howell  Gleaves,  first  Deputy  Grand 
Master. 

During  the  deputyship  of  Brother  Gleaves  he  established 
LTnion  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  the  city  of  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
During  the  second  term  of  Brother  Stringer  Brother 
Gleaves  acted  as  Grand  Master.  In  the  year  1848  he  was 
exalted  to  the  honorable  degrees  of  Mark  Master,  Most 
Excellent  Master  and  the  Boval  Arch,  and  in  the  same 
year  was  dubbed  Knight  Templar  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, Pa: 

In  the  year  1849  he  assisted  Brothers  James  Henderson, 
Jonathan  Davis,  M.  D.,  Enos  Hall,  James  Bichmond  and 
Dr.  Kennard,  all  of  Philadelphia,  to  organize  and  establish 
Zerubbabel  Chapter  and  the  Commandery  of  Knights  Tem- 
plars in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  served  as  first 
High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  and  the  first  Captain  General 
and  Commander  of  the  Commandery. 

In  the  year  1850  he  established  Mount  Moriah  Lodge, 
No.  6,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  Ky.  (This 
was  done  during  slavery  times.)  As  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its  Masonic  juris- 


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Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


diction  thereunto  belonging,  he  established  Parsons  Lodge, 
No.  3,  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  in  the  year  1851.  He  also 
established  Lodges  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  Chicago,  111. 

In  1856  Brother  Gleaves  was  elected  Grand  Master  of 
Masons  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Ohio  and 
its  Masonic  jurisdiction,  and  served  from  that  date  by  re- 
election  to  June,  1860.  He,  at  that  period,  declined  to 
serve  longer  by  reason  of  business  calling  him  from  the 
State  permanently.  Brother  Gleaves  was  the  first  Master 
of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  3,  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  During  his 
Mastership  many  brethren  (white)  from  Newport,  Ivy., 
came  over  and  visited  the  Lodge  very  often.  He  is  an 
honorary  member  of  many  Lodges,  R.  A.  Chapters  and 
Commanderies  in  the  several  States  of  America.  In  the 
Scottish  Rite  Masonry  he  has  taken  all  the  degrees  to  the 
thirty-third,  and  filled  the  office  of  Grand  Chancellor, 
H.  E.,  in  the  western  and  southern  jurisdiction  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

He  established  the  first  Masonic  Lodge  west  of  the 
Alleghany  Mountains — Cyprien  Lodge,  No.  13 — the  first 
three  in  Ohio,  the  first  in  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentuc-kv, 
Tennessee,  Kansas,  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  among 
colored  men.  In  1858  he  was  elected  National  Grand 
Junior  Warden  and  in  1862  National  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  in  1865  National  Grand  Master  and  re-elected  to 
the  Grand  Mastership  in  1868,  1871,  1871  and  in  1877  de- 
clined re-election,  when  the  National  Grand  Lodge  passed 
out  of  existence. 

He  has  always  been  an  active  Freemason  from  the  time 
he  entered  the  order  to  the  present  day,  and  he  is  now  an 
old  man.  For  many  years  he  was  trader  and  steward  on 
the  Mississippi  River.  He  has  traveled  very  much  both  in 
and  out  of  the  United  States.  Since  1865  he  has  filled 
several  very  important  offices  in  the  State  of  South  Carolina 
and  under  the  general  government.  In  South  Carolina 
he  filled  the  office  of  Trial  Justice  and  Probate  Judge  of 
Beaufort  County.  He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  three  times  and  served  in  the  said  office 
from  1872  to  1877.  He  was  clerk  in  the  United  States 
Treasury  Department  from  1878  to  1880;  was  Deputy 
Revenue  Collector  one  year  and  Special  Inspector  of  Cus- 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  205 

toms  for  three  years  in  the  Sixth  Customs  District  of 
South  Carolina. 

He  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  First  Industrial 
Exposition  by  the  Colored  Citizens  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity, 
held  September,  1886.  He  is  now  a member  of  Eureka 
Lodge,  No.  5,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  In  May,  1889,  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
Relief  Association  and  in  1900,  Secretary,  which  office  he 
still  fills.  He  has  been  Financial  Secretary  of  Masonic 
Hall  Building  Association  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
from  its  organization  to  the  present. 


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Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXL 

FREEMASONRY  IN  OHIO  AND  ITS  JURISDICTION — 1847. 

Corinthian  Lodge,  No.  17,  the  first  Lodge  in  the  State 
of  Ohio,  was  organized  January  16th,  1847,  and  chartered 
by  African  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America,  located  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  On  the  18th  day  of  March  of 
the  same  year,  True  American  Lodge,  Xo.  26,  was  organized 
and  chartered  by  the  same  authority,  and  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1848,  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  27,  was  constituted  and 
chartered  by  the  same  Grand  Lodge.  All  of  these  Lodges 
were  organized  by  Brother  Richard  H.  Gleaves,  under  the 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  were 
located  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  On  the  3d  of  May,  1849, 
a general  assembly  of  the  Craft  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State,  which  was  ac- 
complished by  the  election  of  R.  W.  Brother  Thomas  W. 
Stringer  M.  W.  G.  M.,  and  Brother  Richard  H.  Gleaves 
Deputy  G.  M.,  and  other  grand  officers.  The  three  Lodges 
forming  the  Grand  Lodge  surrendered  their  old  warrants 
and  took  out  warrants  under  their  State  Grand  Lodge. 
Since  organization  it  has  chartered  fifty-two  Lodges  and 
has  a membership  of  1,057.  To  this  State  belongs  the 
credit  of  establishing  Freemasonry,  through  their  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  Richard  H.  Gleaves,  in  the  State  of  Indiana 
in  1849,  and  in  Kentucky  in  1850.  In  1851  he  estab- 
lished Parson’s  Lodge  at  New  Orleans,  La.  In  1850  he 
was  elected  M.  W.  G.  M.  of  Masons  for  the  State  of  Ohio. 
He  also  established  the  first  Masonic  Lodges  in  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  and  Chicago,  111.  He  was  the  first  Master  of  St. 
John's  Lodge,  now  No.  3,  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  During 
Brother  Gleaves’s  Mastership  the  Lodge  was  often  visited 
by  white  Masons  from  Newport,  Ky. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  207 


Petition  to  the  White  Grand  Lodge. 

To  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Ancient  Masons  of  the  State  of 
Ohio  : 

Whereas / On  the  29th  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1784,  a 
warrant  was  granted  to  Prince  Hall,  Boston  Smith,  Thomas 
Sanderson  and  several  other  brethren  residing  in  Boston, 
New  England,  North  America,  by  Thomas  Howard,  Earl 
of  Effingham,  Lord  Howard,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  Acting  Grand 
Master,  under  the  authority  of  His  Boyal  Highness,  Henry 
Frederick,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  etc.,  etc.,  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  Most  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  the  various  Lodges  of  colored  Masons  in 
this  country,  including  those  of  Ohio,  have,  by  regular  suc- 
cession, grown  out  of  this  legitimately  organized  Lodge, 
and  we  have  continued  and  are  at  this  time,  in  good  work- 
ing order  and  thriving  condition,  and  that,  deploring  the 
inharmony  existing,  and  which  may  by  some,  be  charged 
to  the  existence  of  two  Grand  Lodges  in  the  same  territorial 
jurisdiction,  and, 

Whereas,  We  are  desirous  that  all  inharmony  between 
Masons,  and  all  real  or  supposed  causes  for  the  same  should 
be  removed ; and  in  order  to  initiate  such  steps  as  may 
lead  to  so  desirable  a result,  we  do  most  respectfully  and 
fraternally  pray  your  honorable  body,  that  you  extend  to 
the  colored  Lodges  and  Masons  working  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  colored  Masons  of  Ohio  and  its  jurisdiction,  your 
full  and  ample  recognition,  by  granting  to  the  above 
named  Lodges  your  warrants  to  work  as  subordinate 
Lodges  in  lieu  of  the  warrants  they  now  hold  from  the  Col- 
ored Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio.  And  we  further  pray  that, 
should  you  not  agree  to  grant  this  prayer,  that  you  extend 
to  the  aforenamed  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Lodges  under  its 
jurisdiction,  your  full  and  ample  recognition  as  an  inde- 
pendent Grand  Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  A.  Masons.  And  we 
deem  it  proper  to  declare  to  you  that  this  movement  is  not 
made  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  indiscriminate  access 
in  your  Lodges,  knowing  full  well  that  that  is  a matter 
each  Lodge  and  each  member  of  a Lodge  can  control  for 


208 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


itself  or  himself ; but  realizing  that  Masonry  is  sadly  false 
to  its  professed  principles  of  the  fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man,  if  so  shallow  a pretext  as  complexion 
shall  be  the  open  or  covert  cause  of  division  or  non- 
recognition.  We  are  willing  to  do  all  that  seems  incum- 
bent upon  us  to  remove  all  obstacles  to  a practical  realiza- 
tion of  the  .glorious  principles  proclaimed  by  the  order 
everywhere. 

This  petition  is  most  respectfully  and  fraternally  pre- 
sented in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  one  thousand  colored 
Masons  of  Ohio  and  its  jurisdiction. 

W.  T.  Boyd,  Grand  Master. 
Attest:  John  B.  Blackburn. 

The  right  to  make  the  above  petition  is  founded  in  the 
resolution  passed  by  this  Grand  Lodge  on  Friday,  June 
23d,  18G5,  and  which  is  in  the  following  language : 

“ Resolved , That  this  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  appoint  a com- 
mittee of  three  to  visit  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Most 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  State  of  Ohio  (wdiite),  at  their  next  annual 
communication,  to  ascertain  the  reason,  if  any,  why  the 
right  of  visit  is  not  general  among  Masons  regardless  of 
color.” 

The  Grand  Lodge  appointed  a committee  in  pursuance  of 
the  above  resolution. 

The  select  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition 
and  memorial  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colored  Masons  of 
Ohio  and  its  jurisdiction,  recommended  the  adoption  of  the 
following  preamble  and  resolution : 

“Whereas,  This  Grand  Lodge  is  disposed  to  do  justice  to 
all  men  without  regard  to  color  or  religion,  therefore, 

“ Resolved , That  the  resolution  adopted  by  this 
Grand  Lodge  in  1847,  and  which  is  as  follows,  ‘Resolved, 
That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Grand  Lodge  it  would  be 
inexpedient  and  tend  to  ruin  the  present  harmony  of  the 
Fraternity  to  admit  any  person  of  color,  so  called,  into  the 
Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  within  the  j uxic- 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  209 

diction  of  this  Grand  Lodge/  be  and  the  same  is  hereby 
rescinded. 

“Resolved,  That  this  committee  be  continued,  with  in- 
structions to  report  further  at  the  next  grand  communica- 
tion of  this  Grand  Lodge.” 

Fraternally  submitted.  Thomas  Sparrow,  E.  T.  Car- 
son,  W.  B.  Dodds,  P.  M.  Wagenhals,  E.  H.  Stone.  Which 
was  adopted. 

At  the  session  held  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  Monday,  Septem- 
ber 21st,  A.  L.  1868,  the  following  action  was  taken: 

M.  W.  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  State  of  Ohio. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern: 

Know  ye,  that  we,  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  of  Masons,  in  and 
for  the  State  of  Ohio,  together  with  the  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  the  Worshipful  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  several 
subordinate  Lodges  held  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
for  the  State  of  Ohio,  believing  that  justice  to  ourselves,  and  the 
whole  fraternity,  demands  that  we  should  declare  the  causes  which 
impel  us  to  a withdrawal  from  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
National  Grand  Lodge.  Therefore, 

We,  the  Grand  officers  and  representation  of  the  several  sub- 
ordinate Lodges,  in  grand  communication  assembled,  in  the  town 
of  Lebanon,  county  of  Warren,  and  State  aforesaid,  do  withdraw 
our  allegiance  from  the  National  Grand  Lodge,  and  do  further 
deny  that  the  said  National  Grand  Lodge  has  any  will,  power, 
authority  or  jurisdiction  over  this  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
State  of  Ohio  whatever.  We,  therefore,  do  assume  and  re- 
sume the  supreme  direction  and  government  of  the  three  symbolic 
degrees  of  ancient  craft  Masonry  of  the  Order  of  the  Holy  St. 
John’s,  for  the  following  reasons,  to  wit; 

1st.  We,  as  past  Master  Masons,  admitting  that  it  is  not  in 
the  power  of  any  man,  or  any  body  of  men,  to  make  innovation 
in  the  body  of  Masonry,  must  further  admit  that  the  erecting 
of  a National  Grand  Lodge  over,  and  making  a State  Grand 
Lodge  subordinate  to  that  national  authority,  is  an  innovation, 
unknown,  unprecedented,  unmasonie,  and  not  in  accordance  with 
the  ancient  landmarks  of  the  Order. 

2nd.  The  National  Grand  Lodge,  in  Article  I,  of  its  consti- 
tution, assumes  the  authority  to  exercise  jurisdiction  and  govern- 
ment over  all  subordinate  Grand  Lodges  within  the  United 
States  of  America.  And  further  declares  that  no  such  M.  W. 
Grand  Lodge  can  exist,  or  exercise  any  Masonic  privileges  or 
duty  within  the  United  States,  without  the  sanction  of  this  M. 
W.  National  Grand  Lodge  And  without  such  sanction  the 
National  Grand  Lodge  assumes  and  presumes  that  such  State 
Grand  Lodges  are  hereby  declared  spurious  and  clandestine,  and 
of  no  Masonic  authority,  whatever, 


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3d.  Article  XII,  Sec.  I,  is  a direct  violation  of  the  Fifth 
Landmark.  In  that,  it  assumes  and  claims  that  the  National 
Grand  Master  has  power  “To  convene,  or  order  to  be  convened, 
any  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  for  a State,  within  the  juris- 
diction, to  preside  therein,  and  to  inspect  their  proceedings.” 
Again,  in  “Section  7,  Proceedings  in  National  Grand  Lodge,” 
it  presumes  to  prescribe  to  a State  Grand  Lodge  how  they  shall 
proceed  in  trial  of  its  own  members.  The  National  Grand 
Master,  in  his  inaugural  in  1805,  pledged  himself  to  carry 
out  and  adhere  strictly  to  the  rules,  regulations,  landmarks,  and 
usages  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge;  and  further,  that  if  he 
should  receive  the  support  of  the  brethren,  before  the  end  of  his 
term  he  would  be  enabled  to  turn  over  to  their  care  and  keeping 
State  Grand  Lodges  from  two-thirds  of  these  United  States. 

The  National  Grand  Lodge  had  gone  through  several  states 
making  Lodges  and  organizing  the  said  Lodges  into  Grand 
Lodges. 

It  declared  the  sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  to  be  spuri- 
ous and  clandestine  and  with  no  Masonic  authority  whatever. 
Now,  therefore  for  many  good  and  sufficient  reasons,  pledging 
ourselves  to  carry  out  the  true  principles  of  Ancient  Craft 
Masonry  and  live  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  according  to  the 
Ancient  Landmarks  of  the  Order,  we  do  declare  ourselves  inde- 
pendent of  the  National  Grand  Lodge  to  all  intents  and  purposes 
and  do  receive  and  .acknowledge  all  worthy  Masons,  hailing  from 
under  any  regularly  established  Grand  Lodge  on  the  face  of  the 
globe,  and  will  likewise  reject  all  dissenters  from  the  original  plan 
of  Masonry;  and  for  the  correctness  of  our  judgment  and  the 
rectitude  of  our  conduct,  we  take  all  good  and  true  Masons  to 
witness. 

Done  in  Grand  Lodge  at  Lebanon,  County  of  Warren  and  State 
of  Ohio.  In  testimony  whereof,  we,  the  Grand  Officers  and  regu- 
lar representatives  of  the  following  named  Lodges  have  affixed 
our  names  and  caused  the  seal  of  said  Grand  Lodges  to  be  affixed 
and  attested,  by  the  Grand  Secretary  this  21st  day  of  September, 
A.  I,.,  5868,  A.  D..  1868. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be  instructed  to  for- 
ward a copy  of  the  aforesaid  document,  in  accordance  with 
Masonic  usage,  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges,  asking  for  a recog- 
nition in  the  sisterhood  of  Grand  Lodges. 

3.  Resolved,  That  a committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  and 
present  at  the  next  annual  session,  to  be  held  in  Toledo,  a constitu- 
tion, by  laws  and  regulations,  in  accordance  with  the  landmarks 
of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry;  for  the  government  of  this  Grand 
Lodge  and  its  subordinates. 

Signed:  David  Jenkins, 

A.  H.  White, 

Jno.  Cousins,  Committee. 

Jno.  R.  Blackburn, 

Wm.  P.  Boyd, 

Attest:  Jno.  R.  Blackburn,  Grand  Secretary, 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2JI 

The  war  now  on,  led  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  with 
the  following  States  joining  in  the  fight  for  State  rights, 
severed  their  connection  with  the  National  Grand  Lodge, 
1868  and  1869 : 

California, 

District  of  Columbia, 

Delaware, 

Indiana, 

Illinois, 

Kentucky, 

New  Jersey 

The  following  Grand  Lodges  were  left  under  the  Na- 
tional Grand  Lodge: 

Ontario,  C.  W.,  Connecticut, 

Pennsylvania,  Iowa, 

South  Carolina, 

The  officers  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge,  seeing  that  all 
of  the  Grand  Lodges  wiuld  soon  leave  the  National,  and  in 
order  to  strengthen  the  National  Grand  Lodge,  Grand 
Lodges  were  established  without  a shadow  of  authority 
of  law  in  the  following  States : 

Pennsylvania, 

Connecticut. 

Iowa, 

South  Carolina, 

California, 

Louisiana, 

Mississippi 

However,  the  original  Grand  Lodges  held  their  own,  and. 
State  by  State,  left  the  National  and  assumed  State  sov- 
ereignty. Many  appeals  were  made  to  the  Ohio  and  other 
Grand  Lodges  in  behalf  of  the  National  body.  The  fol- 
lowing is  one,  and  is  published  for  the  benefit  of  the  Craft : 

“Oh!  that  I could  induce  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  to  send  a 
delegate  and  honorably  act  with  her  sister  Grand  Lodges. 

“Oh,  that  the  so  called  National  Grand  Lodge  of  America  would 
honorably  act  as  the  late  and  lamented  Lincoln  did,  by  proclaim- 
ing all  Masons  free  to  visit  and  receive  visits  from  all  worthy 
members  of  the  Fraternity. 


North  Carolina, 
Virginia, 

Kansas, 

Georgia, 

Tennessee, 

Florida, 


Louisiana, 

Maryland, 

Missouri, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan. 

New  York, 


212 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


“You  speak  of  calling  a convention  of  Grand  Lodges.  Do  you 
know  that,  in  your  present  position,  no  Grand  Lodge  that 
works  under  the  Compact  can  meet  in  that  convention?  Reason, 
because  you  have  by  your  own  act  made  it  impossible  for  them 
to  work  with  you. 

“By  your  own  act  you  made  it  impossible  to  work  with  you. 
And  what  is  that  act?  Have  we  violated  any  of  the  Landmarks 
of  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masonry?  Have  we  violated  any 
of  the  General  Regulations  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
compiled  by  James  Anderson,  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  pub- 
lished by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  March  25,  1722,  or  have 
we  violated  any  of  the  laws  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  for  the  state  of  Ohio?  When  Masonry  was  reconciled 
in  England  in  1813,  it  was  agreed  that  one  Grand  Lodge  should 
rule  all  England  and  history  tells  us  that  two  Grand  Lodges  ex- 
isted for  one  hundred  years,  and  the  supporters  of  each  Grand 
Lodge  were  treated  as  worthy  Masons. 

“When  the  National  Grand  Lodge  was  organized,  had  she 
claimed  herself  supreme  of  the  United  States  and  abolished  all 
State  Grand  Lodges,  and  appointed  the  officers  of  the  District 
Grand  Lodges,  she  would  have  acted  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  does  in  all  her  possessions. 

“Behold!  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity. 

“May  the  blessing  of  heaven  rest  upon  us  and  all  regular 
Masons.  May  brotherly  love  prevail  and  every  moral  and  social 
virtue  cement  us.  So  mote  it  be. 

“John  Parsons,  G.  M,  G.  L.,  Louisiana.” 

In  1865  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  through  its  Past 
Grand  Master,  R.  H.  Gleaves,  organized  and  chartered  the 
first  Lodges  in  Tennessee,  Kansas,  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  He  also  organized  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sonry and  Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars.  In  1849. 
Zerubbabel  Chapter,  located  in  Cincinnati,  was  organized 
by  Companion  R.  H.  Gleaves,  who  was  first  High  Priest, 
and  chartered  by  the  first  Independent  African  Grand 
Chapter  of  North  America,  headquarters  in  Philadelphia. 
Pa.  Shortly  afterward  several  chapters  were  chartered 
by  the  same  authority,  and  in  1867,  a general  convention  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons  was  held  at  Xenia,  Ohio,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  a Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  for  the 
State  of  Ohio.  This  was  consummated  by  the  election  of 
M.  E.  Companion  Anderson  B.  Lewis,  Grand  High  Priest, 
and  other  grand  officers.  In  1849  a Commandery  of 
Knights  Templars  was  organized  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati, 
and  chartered  by  the  first  Independent  African  Grand  En- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2t3 

campment  of  North  America,  headquarters  at  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.  Grand  officers:  James  Henderson,  Jonathan 

Davis,  Enos  Hall,  James  Richmond,  Jr.,  and  Dr.  Ken- 
nard,  all  of  Philadelphia.  The  Commandery  was  duly 
constituted  and  chartered  June  1st,  1819.  Soon  after  sev- 
eral other  Commanderies  were  organized  in  the  State.  In 
1870  a convention  was  called  to  meet  in  Springfield,  Ohio, 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Commandery  of 
Knights  Templars  for  the  State,  which  was  consummated 
by  the  election  of  all  the  grand  officers  necessary  to  com- 
plete the  same. 

GRAND  MASTERS  FROM  1849—1902. 

Thomas  IV.  Stringer,  first  Grand  Master.  1819 — 1S50. 

Richard  H.  Gleaves.  1850 — 1857 — 1S58 — 1859 — 1860. 

Griffin  T.  Watson,  1851. 

William  Darnes,  1852 — 1853 — 1854 — 1855. 

John  Parsons,  1856. 

H.  W.  P.  Spencer,  1861 — 1862. 

Edward  A.  Fulton,  1S63 — 1864. 

John  Jones,  1865 — 1866. 

William  D.  Goff,  1867—1868. 

William  T.  Boyd,  1869 — 1870 — 1871 — 1872 — 1S73 — 18(4. 

William  H.  Parham,  1S75 — 1876 — 1877 — 1S78. 

Samuel  W.  Clark,  1879— 1880— 18S1— 1882— 1883— 1884— 1885 — 
1S86— 1887— 1888. 

Jere  A.  Brown.  1889-1890— 1891-1892-1S93— 1894— 1S95-1S96 
—1897— 1S98. 

Samuel  W.  Clark,  1899—1900—1901—1902. 

GRAND  SECRETARIES  FROM  1849—1902. 

O.  T.  B.  Nickens,  1849— 1S50. 

Lloyd  S.  Lewis,  1851 — 1852 — 1S53 — 1854. 

David  G.  Harris,  1855 — 1856 — 1857 — 1858 — 1859. 

W.  E.  Ambush,  1860—1861—1862—1863. 

William  Robinson,  1864. 

John  It.  Blackburn,  1865 — 1866 — 1867 — 1868 — 1869 — 1870 — 1871 — 
1S72— 1873— 1874— 1875— 1S76— 1877— 1878. 

C.  L.  Maxwell,  1879—1890—1891. 

Jere  A.  Brown.  1880 — 1881 — 1882 — 1883 — 1884 — 1S85 — 18S6 — 1887 

2 ggg -j  ggg 

Wm.  H.  Buckner,  1892— 1893— 1894— 1895— 1896 — 1S97—1S98— 
1899—1900—1901—1902. 


214 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  INDIANA — 1848. 

The  first  four  Lodges  formed  in  Indiana  were  Union 
Lodge,  Xo.  1,  afterwards  Center  Lodge,  Xo.  1,  at  Indian- 
apolis, in  1848 ; Gleaves  Lodge,  Xo.  2,  at  Indianapolis, 
1849  ; Darnes  Lodge,  Xo.  4,  at  Terre  Haute,  in  1849  ; King 
Solomon  Lodge,  Xo.  3,  at  Madison,  1849. 

These  Lodges  were  warranted  by  the  Ohio  jurisdiction  of 
Xational  Compact,  which  had  its  day  and  has  steadily  given 
way  to  the  State  organization.  From  1850,  Masonic  Lodges 
spread  over  the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  This  was  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  largest  number  of  colored  persons  had  set- 
tled there.  In  1850,  there  were  not  more  than  10,000  ne- 
groes in  Indiana.  The  eastern  counties  held  to  abolition 
ideas,  and  underground  railroads  and  Quaker  sentiments 
were  stronger  there  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  State. 
There  were  Lodges  established  at  Spiceland,  Connersville, 
Randolph,  Carthage,  Xoblesville,  Xewport,  Thorntown  and 
Xew  London  during  the  last  half  of  the  fifties,  but  for  some 
reason  the  colored  people  left  that  section  and  all  of  these 
Lodges  became  defunct. 

In  1853  a great  many  free  people  settled  along  the  Ohio 
River,  and  St.  John  Lodge,  Xo.  8,  at  Xew  Albany,  was  or- 
ganized in  1857,  also  Mt.  Moriah,  Xo.  12,  and  Vincennes 
Lodge  came  into  existence  some  years  later. 

On  the  13th  day  of  September,  1856,  a convention  of 
the  Craft  was  held  at  Masonic  Hall  in  the  city  of  in- 
dianapolis,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  of 
Masons  for  the  State  of  Indiana.  The  following  Lodges 
were  present  : Union,  Gleaves,  King  Solomon  and  Darnes 

Lodges  and  members  within  the  geographical  limits  of 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  215 

Indiana.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  established  in  ample 
form  by  the  election  of  R.  W.  Brother  John  G.  Britton,  G. 
M.,  and  other  grand  officers,  since  which  time  it  has  met 
annually  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  August  of  each  year.  Its 
government  and  ritualistic  work  are  the  same  as  that 
practiced  by  the  Masonic  family  throughout  the  world,  and 
is  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  same.  The  title 
of  this  Grand  Lodge  is  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  Indiana. 

Royal  Arch  Chapters  and  Commanderies  are  located  at 
Indianapolis,  Fort  Wayne,  Muncie,  Marion,  LaFayette, 
Mitchell,  Evansville,  Richmond  and  South  Bend. 

Scottish  Rites  are  at  Richmond  and  Indianapolis.  There 
are  700  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  Knights  Templars  in  the 
State,  and  150  Mystic  Shriners. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1856—1902. 


John  G.  Britton  . 
James  S.  Hinton 
John  W.  Harrison 
James  S.  Hinton 
John  Brooks  .... 
Edward  Roberts  . 
William  Walden  . 
William  Russell  . 
James  S.  Hinton  . 
Charles  E.  Baily  , 
Henry  A.  Rogon  . 
Charles  H.  Lamer 
William  Russell  . 
W.  T.  Floyd 
J.  H.  Walker 
W.  F.  Teister 
D.  W.  Caine  


.1856  to  1859 
.1859  to  1864 
.1864  to  1865 
,1865  to  1869 
1869  to  1870 
,1870  to  1871 
1871  to  1875 

1875  to  1876 

1876  to  1878 
1878  to  1880 
1880  to  1883 
1883  to  1885 

1885  to  1886 

1886  to  1889 
1889  to  1892 
1892  to  1898 
1898  to  1902 


GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1856—1902. 


Wm.  T.  Evans 
A.  McIntosh  . . 
W.  S.  Lankford 
W.  G.  Robinson 
Silas  Shucroft 
Frank  Dugged  . 
Henry  C.  Mann 
W,  F.  Prester 


.1856—1858 
.1858—1861 
.1861—1862 
.1862—1866 
.1866—1867 
. 1867—1868 
.1868—1869 
.1869-1871 


2 \6 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


W.  G.  Robinson  1871 — 1872 

W.  F.  Prester  1872—1873 

W.  G.  Robinson  1873 — 1874 

Win.  M.  Porter 1874 — 1875 

Robert  McCary  1875 — 1877 

W.  P.  James  1877 — 1878 

Daniel  Jones  1878 — 1879 

E.  P.  F.  Whitsell  1879—1885 

A.  J.  Farley  1885 — 1886 

Charles  H.  Lamer  1886-1888 

J.  D.  Rouse  1888—1889 

C.  C.  Broxton  1889—1890 

R.  F.  Taylor 1890-1895 

S.  W.  Stuart  1895—1897 

R.  T.  Taylor  1897—1900 

F.  D.  Blake 1900-1902 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2M 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  CALIFORNIA — 1849. 

The  first  three  Lodges  organized  in  this  State  in  1849 
Mere  chartered  by  African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania, 
namely  Olive  Branch,  Xo.  5,  Wethington  Lodge,  Xo.  8, 
and  Mosaic  Lodge,  Xo.  38.  A general  assembly  of  the 
Craft  was  called  to  meet  May  4th,  1855,  in  the  city  of 
San  Francisco,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand 
Lodge  for  the  State,  delegates  representing  the  several 
chartered  Lodges  forming  a constitutional  number  being 
present,  with  the  oldest  Master  presiding. 

The  Most  Worshipful  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A. 
A.  M.  was  consummated  in  ample  form  by  electing  R.  W. 
Brother  Philip  Bucanman  Grand  Master,  and  other  grand 
officers,  since  which  time  charters  have  been  issued  to  a 
number  of  subordinate  Lodges. 

The  grand  officers  were  publicly  installed  December  27th, 
1874.  The  Grand  Lodge  and  its  subordinates,  in  full  re- 
galia, proceeded  to  Pacific  Hall,  where  the  Hon.  John  B. 
Felton,  Past  Grand  Orator  of  the  white  Grand  Lodge  of 
California  having  been  invited  and  accepted  to  deliver  the 
address  on  the  occasion.  His  speech  was  as  follows : 

“Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Members  of 
the  Grand  Lodge — I congratulate  you  upon  the  establish- 
ment of  a Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  of  color,  and  now  when 
to  any  colored  man  the  question  is  put,  ‘Are  you  free 
born  ?’  let  him  answer  unhesitatingly,  T am.’  If  the  ques- 
tion is  put,  AVhen  were  you  free  born  ?’  let  him  go  back  to 
the  convulsions  which  shook  our  common  country  to  its 
center.  There  he  will  point  to  a tall,  ungainly  form, 


218 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


sitting  at  a desk,  with  a paper  before  him  and  a pen  in  his 
hand.  He  signs  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  a simple 
proclamation  and  as  he  throws  down  his  pen  millions  of 
men,  women  and  children  are  born  into  the  world  of  free- 
dom. Who  will  go  back  of  that  act  declaring  your  birth? 
Will  it  be  any  American  citizen?  But  he  knows  that 
that  immortal  proclamation  of  freedom  was  but  the  decla- 
ration that  you  had  never  been  slaves — that  at  your  birth 
God  made  yoit  free.  It  was  a restoration  and  not  a crea- 
tion of  your  original  rights.  To-day  the  colored  people 
stand  fully  before  the  world  as  citizens,  with  no  rights  or 
citizenship  denied  them.  The  right  of  property,  of  liberty, 
the  privilege  of  aspiring  to  any  office  in  the  gift  of  the 
people,  absolute  political  equality,  all  are  theirs.  But 
with  this  vast  accession  of  rights  there  is  also  a vast  increase 
of  their  duties  and  responsibilities.” 

Regular  communications  are  held  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
is  in  fraternal  correspondence  with  the  Masonic  world. 
The  first  Chapter  organized  in  the  State  of  California  was 
King  David  Chapter,  No.  1,  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  in  1856. 
In  the  year  1859  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons 
of  California  was  established. 

Knights  Templars  in  the  State  of  California : Eureka 

Commandery,  No.  1,  organized  in  the  year  1880,  by  Rev. 
William  H.  Hilley,  and  a Grand  Commandery  was  formed 
in  the  following  year,  June,  1881. 

GRAND  MASTERS,  1855—1902. 


M.  W.  Philip  Bucanman  1855 — 1856 

M.  W.  Lewis  Mottmore 1856 — 1S58 

M.  W.  Denis.  D.  Carter 1855 — 1860 

M.  W.  John  W.  Barber  1860 — 1864 

M.  W.  James  M.  Whitfield  1864—1869 

M.  W.  George  A.  Derail  1869—1871 

M.  W.  George  Cottle  1S71-1S72 

M.  W.  Robert  J.  Fletcher  1S73 — 1S74 

M.  W.  Peter  Anderson 1S74 — 1875 

M.  W.  John  A.  Barber 1875 — 1876 

M.  W.  George  A.  Devall  1S76— 1878 

M.  W.  Abraham  F.  Holland  1878—1880 

M.  W.  John  C.  Ginkins  ....  1SSO— 1SS2 

M.  W.  Martin  R.  Jackson 1SS2-18S5 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2f9 


M.  W.  James  E.  Francis  1885 — 1886 

M.  W.  W.  H.  Blake  1886—1889 

M.  W.  Thomas  — 1889—1894 

M.  W.  William  Mosdon  1S9*-1895 

M.  W.  Edwin  A.  Clarke  1895—1902 


GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1856—1902. 


R.  W.  Samuel  Serington  1855 — 1858 

R.  W.  Barney  Fletcher  1858 — 1867 

R.  W.  J.  R.  Fletcher  1867—1872 

R.  W.  William  H.  Hillery  ..1S72 — 1875 

R.  W.  William  J.  Simmons  1875 — 1877 

R.  W.  Isaac  N.  Triplett  1877 — 1S81 

R.  W.  Roderigo  Wilkinson  1881 — 1891 

R.  W.  Frank  W.  Jackson  1891 — 1902 


220 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  ILLINOIS — 1851. 

Three  warranted  Lodges,  namely:  Xorth  Star  Lodge  of 
Chicago,  G.  T.  Watson  Lodge  of  Alton,  and  Central  Lodge 
of  Springfield,  working  under  warrants  of  the  Most  Wor- 
shipful Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  met  in  conven- 
tion for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge.  The 
said  Lodges  met  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  111.,  Friday, 
February  15th,  A.  D.  1867,  A.  L.  5867,  at  which  time  it 
was  agreed  to  surrender  their  warrants  to  the  Most  Wor- 
shipful Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  and  organize  a Grand  Lodge 
for  the  State  of  Illinois  and  its  jurisdiction. 

The  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Brother  H.  D. 
King,  of  Chicago ; Brother  L.  A.  Coleman,  of  Springfield, 
was  chosen  chairman,  and  Brother  William  L.  Darrow,  of 
Chicago,  Secretary. 

A committee  was  appointed  on  credentials,  namely, 
Brother  I.  H.  Kelly,  of  Alton.  Brother  L.  A.  Coleman,  of 
Springfield,  and  Brother  John  A.  Crisup,  of  Chicago, 
which  reported  three  Lodges  represented  with  proper 
credentials.  Afterwards  the  following  resolutions  were 
passed: 

Resolved,  That  the  subordinate  Lodges  of  Ancient  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  viz..  Xorth 
Star  Lodge,  Xo.  12,  Chicago;  G.  T.  Watson  Lodge,  Xo.  16; 
and  Central  Lodge,  Xo.  19.  of  Springfield.  111.,  working 
under  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  this  day 
dissolve  all  connection  with  the  said  Grand  Lodge ; second. 

Resolved,  That  we  do  immediately  return  our  warrants 
and  constitutions  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  with  dues  to 
date,  and  that  we  notify  the  Grand  Master  of  said  Grand 
Lodge  of  such  return,  and  that  we  respectfully  ask  his 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  22 \ 


recommendation  to  the  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand 
Lodge,  so  that  we  may  obtain  a warrant  and  constitution 
for  the  establishment  of  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of 
Illinois. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  to  meet  in  the  city  of 
Springfield,  May  6th,  1867,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  their 
first  annual  communication  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 


B.  F.  Rogers, 

First  Grand  Master  of  Illinois. 

The  following  named  brethren  were  the  first  officers  of 
the  new  Grand  Lodge : Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master, 

Brother  B.  F.  Rogers,  of  Springfield;  Right  Worshipful 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  Brother  H.  D.  King,  of  Chicago; 
Right  Worshipful  Senior  Grand  Warden,  Brother  E.  White, 
of  Alton ; Right  Worshipful  Junior  Grand  Warden,  Brother 


222 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


W.  L.  Darrow,  of  Chicago ; Right  Worshipful  Grand  Treas- 
urer, Brother  I.  H.  Kelly,  of  Alton;  Right  Worshipful 
Grand  Secretary,  Brother  C.  L.  Thomas,  of  Chicago.  The 
convention  then  adjourned. 

First  Grand  Session. — Springfield,  111.,  May  6th,  1867. 
Brother  B.  F.  Rogers,  Grand  Master. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  Brother  John  Jones,  Acting 
Deputy  National  Grand  Master,  opened  the  Lodge  of  Mas- 
ter Masons  in  the  hall  of  Central  Lodge,  Springfield, 
authority  and  constitution  having  been  received  from  the 
Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Master,  Brother  IL  II. 
Gleaves.  Brother  Jones  proceeded  to  install  the  officers 
elected  at  the  convention,  as  follows:  B.  F.  Rogers, 

Grand  Master;  Brother  H.  D.  King,  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ter ; Brother  E.  White,  Senior  Grand  Warden ; Brother 
W.  L.  Darrow,  Junior  Grand  Warden;  Brother  I.  H.  Kelly, 
Grand  Treasurer;  Brother  C.  L.  Jones.  Grand  Secretary; 
Brother  L.  Coleman,  Grand  Chaplain ; Brother  S.  Wether- 
spoon,  Grand  Senior  Deacon ; Brother  W.  K.  Donovan, 
Grand  Junior  Deacon;  Brother  E.  R.  Williams,  Grand 
Lecturer ; Brother  H.  Hicklin,  Grand  Steward ; Brother  C. 
C.  Richardson,  Grand  Pursuivant,  and  Brother  J.  S.  D. 
Lee,  Grand  Tiler. 

First  Annual  Communication. — Chicago,  111.,  June 
20th,  1867.  Brother  B.  F.  Rogers,  Grand  Master. 

The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois held  its  first  annual  communication  in  the  hall  of 
North  Star  Lodge,  No.  1,  with  the  following  grand  officers: 
B.  T.  Rogers,  Grand  Master;  II.  D.  King,  Deputy  Grand 
Master;  W.  L.  Darrow,  Junior  Grand  Warden;  S.  Mc- 
Cracken, Senior  Grand  Warden  pro  tern. ; J.  Hudlin,  Grand 
Senior  Deacon;  J.  J.  Bird,  Grand  Junior  Deacon;  S.  W. 
Scott,  Senior  Grand  Steward;  J.  Weakley,  Grand  Junior 
Steward ; R.  M.  Hancock,  Grand  Marshal ; S.  Wetherspoon, 
Grand  Pursuivant ; A.  Carey,  Grand  Master  of  Ceremonies, 
and  J.  S.  D.  Lee,  Grand  Tiler.  Grand  Master  Rogers 
submitted  the  first  annual  address  to  Negro  Masons  in 
the  State  of  Illinois.  In  opening  his  address  he  said: 

“In  view  of  the  origin  and  true  nature  of  the  institution 
of  Masonry,  its  high  importance  to  the  world,  the  sacred- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  223 

ness  of  its  principles,  its  harmonizing  influence  and  the 
whole  excellence  of  the  system,  whether  it  be  considered  in  a 
historical,  benevolent,  moral  or  religious  point,  your  minds 
must  be  solemnly  affected  and  your  hearts  seriously  en- 
gaged to  maintain  the  purity  of  its  precepts,  not  only  as  a 
plain  and  reasonable  duty,  but  as  examples  waiting  to  be 
imitated  by  those  who  shall  receive  the  administration  from 
your  hands.  Brethren,  your  profession  is  built  upon  a 
tried  foundation ; you  stand  solemnly  pledged  to  the  world 
to  maintain  the  cause  of  truth  against  all  the  assaults  of 
vice,  or  the  inroads  of  errors.  Your  several  Lodges  are,  or 
ought  to  be,  so  many  temples  of  virtue  and  schools  of 
moral  and  religious  instruction  ; each  individual  should 
be  a watchful  sentinel  over  the  happiness  of  mankind,  ever 
on  the  alert  to  rescue  injured  innocence,  or  to  avert  im- 
pending dangers.” 

Sixth  Annual  Communication. — Galesburg,  111., 
June  19-24th,  1872.  The  following  resolution  was  offered: 

Whereas,  It  has  become  patent  to  all  well  informed 
Masons  that  there  cannot  exist  legally  any  Masonic  power 
above  a State  Grand  Lodge,  and, 

Whereas , The  so-called  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand 
Lodge  has  arrogated  to  itself  the  supreme  Masonic  author- 
ity of  these  United  States,  and  thereby  making  the  State 
Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Masters  subordinate  to  the  said 
compact,  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Lodge,  and, 

Resolved,  That  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  for 
the  State  of  Illinois,  and  its  jurisdiction,  now  working 
under  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States'  of  America,  after  paying  all  dues  to  the  date  of  this 
session,  will  and  do  by  these  resolutions,  absolve  all  rela- 
tion and  connections  whatsoever  with  the  above-named 
compact,  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand  Lodge. 

Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  and  its  subordinates, 
will  and  do  recognize  all  genuine  Masons,  after  due  trial, 
strict  examination  or  lawful  information,  wheresoever  we 
may  find  them. 

Resolved,  That  this  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  do 
order  the  warrant  and  all  dues  (or  money)  that  may  be 


224 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

owed  to  or  claimed  by  the  Most  Worshipful  National  Grand 
Lodge,  to  be  forwarded  to  that  compact  bod}",  if  such  a body 
of  Masons  can  be  found  without  delay. 

Seventh  Annual  Communication. — Belleville,  111., 
June  19-24th,  1873.  Brother  W.  L.  Darrow,  Grand  Mas- 
ter reported  four  new  Lodges  organized  during  the  rear, 
viz. : Hiram,  Keystone,  Mt.  Olive  and  Phoenix.  He 

further  stated  that  it  is  a fact  not  generally  known,  even 
by  the  brethren  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  that  three-fourths 
of  the  members  of  Phoenix  Lodge  were  white  men. 

Tenth  Annual  Communication. — Decatur,  111.,  June 
21st,  1876.  The  Grand  Master,  speaking  of  the  National 
Compact  Grand  Lodge,  said:  ‘‘The  National  Compact 

Grand  Lodge  is  dying;  her  lamp  of  life  has  gone  out;  and 
if  we,  her  children,  do  not  heed  we  will  soon  be  groveling 
in  darkness.  In  vain  we  have  looked  for  sign  of  light,  for 
some  actual  improvement  in  her  condition.  We  have  been 
faithful,  hoping  that  by  her  aid,  a union  of  all  the  Grand 
Lodges  in  the  United  States  composed  of  colored  brethren 
would  be  consummated;  but  all- such  hopes  have  passed 
away,  and  believing  that  her  days  of  usefulness  have  en- 
tirely gone,  we  recommend  that  this  Grand  Lodge  sever  its 
connection  with  it.” 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed: 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  officers  and  members  cf  the 
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Illinois  and 
its  jurisdiction,  together  with  the  representatives  of  the 
subordinate  Lodges  of  the  same,  in  Grand  Lodges  assem- 
bled, do  hereby  sever  our  connection  with  the  said  Most 
Worshipful  National  Grand  Lodge. 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  of  this  Grand  Lodge 
is  hereby  instructed  to  transmit  forthwith  whatever  due? 
may  be  owing  to  the  said  Most  Worshipful  National  Com- 
pact Grand  Lodge,  and  also  return  the  warrant  obtained 
from  said  body  to  the  proper  custodian  of  the  same. 

This  report  was  adopted. 

The  annual  communication  of  the  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Lodge  was  changed  from  June  to  October  at  this 
communication. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  225 


Brother  B.  M.  Hancock  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved , That  Masons  now  engaged  in  the  liquor  busi- 
ness shall  have  until  January  1st.  1878,  to  close  out  their 
business  of  saloon  keeping,  and  .Masons  neglecting  or 
refusing  to  do  so,  shall  forfeit  their  membership  in  this 
Grand  Lodge.” 

Fifteenth  Annual  Communication. — Jacksonville, 
111.,  October  ll-13th,  1881.  The  Grand  Master,  J.  Hollin- 


Eufus  Mitchell, 

Grand  Master  of  Illinois. 

ger,  in  his  annual  address,  spoke  eloquently  upon  the  death 
of  the  lamented  President,  James  A.  Garfield,  twentieth 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  who  was  assassinated 
in  the  railroad  depot  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  by  Guiteau. 
In  closing  his  remarks  upon  this  sad  event  he  repeated  these 
beautiful  words  of  the  dead  statesman : “God  reigns  and 

the  Government  at  Washington  still  lives.” 


226 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Seventeenth  Annual  Communication. — Springfield, 
111.,  October  9th,  1883.  Representatives  from  thirty  of  the 
thirty-five  subordinate  Lodges  were  present. 

At  the  second  day’s  session  a distinguished  visitor  in  the 
person  of  Brother  j.  Henry  Webb  (white),  Grand  Master 
of  the  Bahama  Islands,  and  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  His 
Royal  Highness,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  was  reported  in  the  ante-room. 
Grand  Master  Webb  was  received  with  all  the  honor  due  his 
high  and  exalted  position,  and  was  introduced  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  its  Grand  Master.  Grand  Master  Webb  re- 
sponded, eulogizing  the  brethren,  not  only  of  Illinois,  but 
of  America,  on  the  progress  that  they  had  made  as  citizens 
and  as  Masons.  Among  other  things  said  • by  him  was 
that,  “I  know  no  difference  on  account  of  color;  if  such  is 
the  American  idea  of  Masonry,  I do  not  desire  to  learn  it. 
In  England  and  the  Bahama  Islands  color  would  be  no 
barrier  against  a man  as  a Mason.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  Bahamas,  of  which  I am  the  Exalted  Grand  Master, 
our  brother,  the  Senior  Grand  Warden,  is  a colored  man, 
intelligent  and  of  recognized  ability  and  culture,  and 
should  the  Grand  Master  or  any  officer  of  your  Grand  Lodge 
visit  the  Bahama  Islands,  it  would  afford  me  as  much  pleas- 
ure in  introducing  them  to  our  Grand  Lodge  as  did  Grand 
Master  Perry  in  introducing  me.”  Brother  Webb  re- 
mained during  the  morning  session. 

Brother  R.  E.  Moore,  delegate  to  the  Masonic  Convention 
held  at  Cincinnati,  August  11th,  1883,  to  make  arrange- 
ments to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
granting  of  the  warrant  to  African  Lodge,  459.  Boston. 
Mass.,  reported  that  all-  departments  of  Masonry  in  Illinois 
w7ere  represented ; also  delegates  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States.  Grand  Master  Brother  S.  W.  Clark,  of 
Ohio,  called  the  convention  to  order  and  twenty-two  Grand 
Lodges  were  represented. 

Past  Grand  Master  J.  A.  Lewis,  of  Louisiana,  was  cho- 
sen President;  Past  Grand  Master  C.  H.  Langston,  of 
Kansas,  Grand  Master  T.  W.  Stringer,  of  Mississippi, 
Grand  Master  George  Reeves,  of  Ontario,  and  Grand  Mas- 
ter George  Steel,  of  Kentucky,  Vice-Presidents;  Grand 
Master  C.  F.  A.  Francis,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Grand  Sec- 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  227 

retary  E.  E.  Moore,  of  Illinois,  Secretaries.  The  Presi- 
dent stated  that  the  object  of  the  convention  was  to  make 
arrangements  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
the  granting  of  a warrant  to  African  Lodge,  No.  459 
(afterwards  known  as  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge),  of  Bos- 
ton, Mass.,  the  first  Lodge  composed  of  colored  men  in 
America.  It  was  decided  that  the  celebration  should  be 
held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  September  29th, 


R.  E.  Moore, 

Grand  Secretary  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois. 

1884,  at  which  time  all  departments  of  Masonry  would  be 
represented. 

W.  F.  Powell,  Grand  Master  of  New  Jersey,  Chairman 
of  Committee  on  Arrangements,  presented  a programme  for 
a three  days’  celebration,  approved  by  the  convention. 

A committee  of  five  Pennsylvania  brethren  was  appointed 
to  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  to  carry  out  the 
plans  adopted  for  the  celebration. 


228 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Twenty-fourth  Annual  Communication. — Spring- 
field,  111.,  October  9-1  lth,  1890.  This  session  was  held  in 
the  beautiful  art  gallery  of  the  State  Capitol.  Representa- 
tives from  thirty-four  Lodges  present.  At  this  session  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted  and  is  now  in  force: 

Resolved,  That  no  subordinate  Lodge  shall  accept  as  a 
candidate  for  membership  or  initiation  any  man  who 
keeps  a saloon,  grogshop  or  any  place  for  selling  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  or  a liquor  dealer. 

Twenty-fifth  Annual  Communication. — Metrop- 
olis, October  13-15th,  1891.  The  Grand  Secretary  sub- 
mitted a report  giving  a brief  history  of  the  organization 
of  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  and  a summary  of  the 
returns  of  Lodges  for  the  past  twenty-five  years. 

Twenty-sixth  Annual  Communication. — Dequoin, 
111.,  October  ll-13th,  1892.  Brother  T.  H.  Smith,  Grand 
Master.  The  Masonic  Home  was  established,  with  a board 
of  lady  managers,  1892.  The  Grand  Secretary  reported 
that  the  General  Charity  Fund  amounted  to  $1,493.15. 

The  cornerstone  for  the  new  Masonic  Hall  being  erected 
by  Lily  of  the  Valley  Lodge  at  Beec-hwood,  was  laid  by 
Brother  A.  A.  Martin.  District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1897.  The  Grand  Master  recommended  that 
action  looking  toward  the  establishment  of  a Masonic- 
Home  and  Industrial  Home  be  taken. 

Thirty-second  Annual  Communication. — Cham- 

paign, October  ll-12th,  1898-1899.  Brother  R.  Mitchell, 
Grand  Master.  Representatives  from  thirty-one  subordi- 
nate Lodges  present.  Grand  Master  read  his  address  com- 
mending the  President  of  the  United  States,  William  Mc- 
Kinley, for  calling  to  arms  thousands  of  men  to  relieve  the 
suffering  people  of  Cuba  from  the  tyranny  of  Spain. 

Thirty-third  Annual  Session,  1901 — A resolu- 
tion of  thanks  was  offered  by  Brother  J.  G.  Jones 
to  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  (white)  of  Washing- 
ton for  the  noble  stand  the  brethren  had  taken  in  giving  due 
recognition  to  colored  Masons,  the  descendants  of  African 
Lodge,  No.  459,  of  Massachusetts,  from  which  sprang 
Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  all  regular 
negro  Lodges  in  America.  Approved. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  229 

Brother  R.  E.  Moore  offered  a resolution  requesting  the 
M.  W.  Grand  Master  to  issue  dispensation  to  establish 
Lodges  in  the  newly  acquired  possessions  of  the  United 
States,  formerly  controlled  by  Spain,  without  infringement 
upon  the  rights  of  other  recognized  Grand  Lodges.  Ap- 
proved. 

This  Grand  Lodge  has  held  its  annual  communications 
and  has  its  grand  representatives  near  the  Grand  East  of 
other  Grand  Lodges.  Its  Jurisdiction  includes  the  State  of 
Washington  and  other  places  where  no  Grand  Lodge  has 
been  established.  There  are  a Grand  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  eleven  subordinate  Chapters  with  455  mem- 
bers; the  Adopted  Rite,  510  members;  Heroines  of  Jericho, 
32  Courts,  390  members;  Imperial  Council,  A.  A.  0.  Kobles 
Mystic  Shrine;  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars, 
with  eleven  subordinate  Commanderies  and  a Supreme 
Council  A.  A.  Scottish  Rite  Masons. 


GRAND  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ILLINOIS  FROM  ORGANIZATION,  1865—1902, 


230 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


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Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  231 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  KENTUCKY — 1851. 

In  the  year  1851  Brother  R.  H.  Gleaves,  Deputy  Grand 
Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its 
jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging,  warranted  and  estab- 
lished Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  Xo.  6,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  now  Xo.  1, 
located  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  Ky.  This  was  the  first 
Lodge  organized  in  the  State.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  this 
organization  occurred  during  slavery  times,  none  but  free- 
men were  made  Masons. 

In  1861  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  hence 
there  was  no  growth  of  the  craft  until  1865,  when  Grand 
Master  Xathaniel  L.  Durham,  of  x4.frican  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania,  chartered  three  Lodges,  namely  Meriwether 
Lodge,  Xo.  13;  David  Smith  Lodge,  Xo.  15,  and  St. 
Thomas  Lodge,  Xo.  20.  A convention  of  the  craft  was 
held  August  16,  1866,  at  Masonic  Hall,  Louisville,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State,  which 
resulted  in  the  election  of  R.  W.  Brother  J esse  Meriwether, 
G.  M. ; Levi  Evans,  D.  G.  M. ; William  Butcher,  G.  Treas., 
and  George  A.  Shaefer,  G.  S.  This  Grand  Lodge  refused 
to  recognize  the  Xational  Grand  Lodge,  and  passed  the 
following  Resolution : “That  this  Grand  Lodge,  being  es- 
tablished in  ample  form  after  the  fashion  of  1717,  There- 
fore, this  Constitution  shall  be  the  Supreme  Law  of  this 
Masonic  Jurisdiction  for  the  State  of  Kentucky.” 

The  order  spread  rapidly  over  the  State,  and  there  are 
now  48  chartered  Lodges,  with  a large  membership.  Plans 
have  been  drawn  for  a Widows’  and  Orphans’  Home,  to 


232 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


be  located  in  the  city  of  Louisville.  There  have  also  been 
established  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  Commanderies  of  Knights 
Templars,  Scottish  Rite  and  Ladies’  Chapters  throughout 
the  State.  The  following  are  the  Grand  Officers  from 
organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  present: 


Among  the  Colored  People  in.  North  America.  233 


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GRAND  OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  KENTUCKY  FROM  ITS  ORGANIZATION,  18G6— 1902. 


234 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  LOUISIANA  AND  CANADA 1851. 

In  the  year  1851,  Richard  H.  Gleaves,  Deputy  G.  M. 
and  Acting  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State 
of  Ohio,  and  its  Masonic  Jurisdiction  thereunto  belonging, 
granted  a warrant  to  sixteen  (16)  Master  Masons  (free- 
men) who  had  previously  been  made  Masons  in  the  West 
Indies,  and  residing  in  New  Orleans.  The  Lodge  was 
established  under  the  title  of  Parsons  Lodge,  No.  3,  F. 
A.  A.  M.,  and  located  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  Later 
Richmond  Lodge,  Berry  Lodge  and  Stringer  Lodge  were 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio.  The  order  made 
slow  progress,  owing  to  slavery.  In  1863  a convention  of 
the  Craft  was  called  to  meet  January  5th  of  the  same  year 
in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State,  which  was  established  by 
the  election  of  R.  W.  Brother  Lewis  Banks,  Grand  Master ; 
R.  W.  Brother  Mulford,  Grand  Secretary,  and  other 
Grand  Officers.  In  1900  there  were  thirty  warranted 
Lodges  on  the  register.  Royal  Arch  Masonry  was  intro- 
duced in  this  State  in  1866.  Ezra  Chapter,  No.  4,  war- 
ranted by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
December  7th,  1866.  Shortly  afterward  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  Ohio  established  several  Chapters  in  the  State.  In  1875 
a Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  was  established 
in  the  State.  In  the  same  year  the  Grand  Commandery 
of  the  State  of  Ohio  warranted  and  established  Constan- 
tine Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  in  the  city  of  New 
Orleans.  Afterwards  two  other  Commanderies  were  es- 
tablished and  warranted  by  the  same  authority,  and  in 
1814  a Grand  Commandery  for  the  State  of  Louisiana 


Among;  the  Colored  People  In  North  America.  235 

and  Jurisdiction  was  consummated  by  electing  its  Grand 
Officers. 

Hon.  James  Lewis  writes  under  date  of  January  2d, 
1902 : “I  am  pleased  to  say  that  Masonry  in  this  State,  in 
all  Departments  of  our  Masonic  family,  is  in  a healthy 
condition.  Our  Grand  Commandery  a few  years  ago 
chartered  several  Commanderies  of  Ivnights  Templars  in 
•Alabama,  and  on  January  2d,  1890,  I had  the  pleasure  of 
installing  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand  Commandery/’ 
The  title  of  the  Grand  Lodge  is  M.  W.  Eureka  Grand 
Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M.,  for  the  State  of  Louisiana.  Among 
its  distinguished  Grand  Masters  may  be  found  the  names 
of  Hon.  James  Lewis,  Elias  A.  Williams,  John  G.  Lewis, 
Calvin  F.  Ladd  and  L.  R.  Price.  The  Grand  Lodge  meets 
annually,  and  its  minutes  may  be  found  at  the  Grand 
East  of  all  Masonic  Grand  Lodges. 

GRAND  MASTERS.  GRAND  SECRETARIES. 


L'ewis  Banks, 

John  Parson, 
Oscar  J.  Dunn, 
Calvin  F.  Ladd, 
Lewis  R.  Price, 
Elias  A:  Williams, 
John  G.  Lewis, 

L.  R.  Price. 


William  Mulford, 
George  J.  Davis, 
John  Parson, 
Lewis  Banks, 

W.  G.  Elliot. 

E.  A.  Williams, 
T.  J.  Edwards. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  CANADA — 1851. 

In  the  year  1851  M.  W.  Grand  Master  George  H. 
Shreeves,  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jer- 
sey, granted  a warrant  to  fourteen  Master  Masons  to  open 
and  work  a Masters’  Lodge  in  Ontario,  under  the  title  of 
Mount  Olive  Lodge.  This  warrant  was  signed  by  George 
H.  Shreeves,  G.  M. ; Attest:  Joshua  Weedlin,  G.  S.  Short- 
ly afterwards  Brother  Benjamin  Jackson,  G.  M.  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey,  constituted  and  established 
two  other  Lodges,  namely,  Victory  Lodge,  No.  2,  and 
Olive  Branch  Lodge,  No.  3,  all  holding  warrants  from 
New  Jersey.  A convention  of  the  Craft  was  called  to 
meet  in  Chatham,  August  25th,  1856,  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a Grand  Lodge  for  Canada.  This  convention 


236 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


was  presided  over  by  National  Grand  Master  Paul  Dray- 
ton of  New  York,  with  R.  W.  Brother  John  Isaacs  as  Sec- 
retary. The  Grand  Lodge  plan  was  consummated  by  the 
election  of  a Grand  Master  and  other  Grand  Officers. 

The  Grand  Lodge  has,  since  its  organization,  held  its 
regular  communications,  and  is  in  fraternal  correspond- 
ence with  the  Masonic  family  of  the  world. 

PAST  GRAND  MASTERS. 


1873 

William  H.  Lane,  Jr., 

. 1888 

F.  O.  Cross, 

1874 

William  H.  Lane,  Jr., 

1889 

F.  O.  Cross, 

1875 

James  H.  Rolston, 

1890 

J.  T.  Johnson, 

1876 

Janies  H.  Rolston, 

1891 

J.  T.  Johnson, 

1877 

Alfred  Manning, 

1892 

Geo.  A.  Jenkins, 

1878 

A.  B.  Harris, 

1893 

W.  H.  Effort, 

1879 

Walter  H.  Burr, 

1894 

Walter  H.  Mitchell, 

1880 

F.  0.  Cross, 

1895 

Walter  H.  Mitchell, 

1881 

Walter  H.  Burr, 

1896 

Chas.  C.  Ringgold, 

1882 

John  Godette, 

1897 

Robert  L.  Reed, 

1883 

John  Brayton, 

1898 

Robert  L.  Reed, 

1884 

E.  H.  Perry, 

1899 

Chas.  H.  Walker, 

1885 

Walter  H.  Burr, 

1900 

C.  A.  C.  Beman, 

1886 

Thomas  W.  Stewart, 

1901 

C.  A.  C.  Beman, 

1887 

Thomas  W.  Stewart, 

1902 

C.  A.  C.  Beman. 

GRAND  SECRETARIES. 


1874 — 1876  F.  O.  Cross,  18S1 — 1S83  Walter  H.  Mitchell, 

1876 — 187S  Wm.  H.  Lane,  Jr.  1883 — 1885  Robert  H.  Johnson, 

1878— 1879  Charles  Phillips.  1885— 18S6  John  Stark, 

1879— 1881  F.  O.  Cross,  1886—1889  L.  O.  Bell. 

1889—1902  F.  O.  Cross. 


Note. — It  is  said  that  the  brethren  paid  $50  for  a Grand  warrant 
from  the  N.  G.  L.,  which  the  Canadian  brethren  have  never 
received. 

See  printed  proceedings  1866-1867. 

Benjamin  Stewart  G.  M.  & J.  O.  Banyou,  G.  S. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  237 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  MICHIGAN — 1859. 

September  13th,  1856,  Union  Lodge,  Ho.  1 ; King  Sol- 
omon Lodge,  Ho.  2 ; Britton  Lodge,  Ho.  3;  Darnes  Lodge, 
Ho.  4,  and  Phillips  Lodge,  Ho.  5,  warranted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ohio,  joined  in  organizing  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Indiana,  with  M.  W.  Brother  John  G.  Britton  as 
their  first  Grand  Master.  It  was  he  that  granted  a dis- 
pensation, in  1857,  to  Brothers  J.  W.  Harrison,  T.  Jones, 
William  Powers  and  several  other  Masons  residing  in 
and  about  Hiles,  Michigan,  to  open  the  first  Lodge  of  Col- 
ored Masons  in  the  State  of  Michigan,  namely,  Harrison 
Lodge,  Ho.  6,  which  was  granted  a charter  January  13th, 
1859.  Hart  Lodge,  Ho.  10,  Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  was  granted 
a charter  by  the  same  authority  and  dedicated  March 
15th,  1863,  by  James  S.  Hinton,  Grand  Masjter;  John  W. 
Harrison,  D.  G.  M. 

In  1864  John  W.  Harrison,  Grand  Master  of  Indiana, 
granted  dispensation  to  open  Strother  Lodge,  Ho.  12,  Bat- 
tle Creek,  and  St;  James  Lodge,  Ho.  14,  at  Williamsville, 
Cass  County.  Representatives  from  these  four  Lodges 
met  in  convention,  in  the  city  of  Hiles,  April  25th,  1865, 
and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan, as  is  shown  by  the  preamble  to  their  Constitution 
adopted  December  5tli,  1866: 

Whereas,  The  delegates  of  Harrison  Lodge,  Ho.  6;  St. 
James  Lodge,  Ho.  14;  Strother  Lodge,  Ho.  12,  and  Hart 
Lodge,  Ho.  10,  F.  & A.  A.  Y.  M.,  subordinate  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Indiana,  in  convention  as- 
sembled in  the  city  of  Hiles,  State  of  Michigan.  April 
25th,  A.  L.  5865,  A.  D.  1865,  ceased  working  under  the 


238  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Indiana, 
and  organized  a Grand  Lodge  to  be  known  and  styled 
<-'The  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Michigan”  (Proceed- 
ings 1866,  page  12). 

The  following  brethren  were  elected  as  its  first  Grand 
Officers:  J.  W.  Harrison.  R.  W.  G.  M. ; Daniel  Mills,  R. 
W.  D.  G.  M. ; Thomas  Jones,  S.  G.  W. ; James  Hays.  J. 
G.  W. ; John  J.  Evans,  G.  Treas. ; Isaac  Burdine,  G.  Sec.; 
T.  J,  Martin,  G.  Lect. ; J.  E.  Williams,  G.  Tiler. 


Robert  C.  Barnes, 
Grand  Master  of  Michigan. 


The  M.  W.  National  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
of  North  America  granted  a Grand  Lodge  warrant  to  this 
body  October  18th,  A.  L.  5865,  A.  D.  1865,  bearing  the 
signatures  of  Paul  Drayton,  M.  W.  N.  G.  M. ; R.  H. 
Gleaves,  M.  W.  N.  D.  G.  M.;  Lewis  Hayden,  M.  W.  N.  S. 
G.  W.;  William  Edwin  Gipson.  M.  W.  N.  J.  G.  W. ; James 
Needham.  N.  G.  T. ; Ezra  J.  Morris,  N.  G.  R.  Sec. 
This  relic  of  past  ages  is  now  in  the  archives  of 


Among'  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  239 

Union  Grand  Lodge,  having  been  surrendered  by  Past 
Grand  Master  W.  G.  Eoberts,  of  the  Compact  Grand 
Lodge,  at  the  First  Annual  Communication  of  Union 
Grand  Lodge,  January  23d,  A.  L.  5888. 

At  the  Sixth  Annual  Communication  of  this  Grand 
Lodge,  held  in  the  city  of  Detroit,  June  17th,  1872,  the 
following  Lodges  were  enrolled  and  represented,  with 
date  of  institution:  Harrison,  No.  1 (1857),  Niles;  Hart, 
No.  2 (1863),  Ypsilanti;  Strother,  No.  3 (1861),  Battle 
Creek;  St.  Paul,  No.  1 (1861),  Detroit;  St.  James, 
No.  5 (1861),  Williamsville ; St.  Peter’s,  No.  6 

(1865),  Kalamazoo;  St.  John’s,  No.  7 (1866), 

Adrian;  St.  Nicholas,  No.  8 (1866),  Jackson; 

St.  Mary’s,  No.  9 (1867),  Ann  Arbor;  Hiram, 

No.  10  (1869),  Detroit;  Zion,  No.  11  (1870),  Pontiac; 
Salem,  No.  12  (1872),  Windsor,  Ont.,  U.  D. ; Mt.  Moriah, 
No.  13  (1872),  Detroit,  U.  D. ; Cyrus,  No.  11  (1872), 
Battle  Creek,  U.  D. ; North  Star,  No.  15  (1872),  Grand 
Eapids,  U.  D.  The  four  last  named  were  granted  char- 
ters June  20th,  1872. 

Following  the  lead  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  several 
other  States  that  had  shaken  oft  the  yoke  of  tyranny  with 
which  they  had  been  burdened  for  years,  our  Michigan 
brethren  took  preliminary  steps  to  release  themselves  from 
the  usurped  power  and  authority  of  the  National  Com- 
pact. The  Masons  of  the  city  of  Detroit  took  the  in- 
itiative in  the  matter  and  called  a meeting  of  the  Craft 
to  decide  what  course  to  pursue,  and  by  a vote  of  69  to  1 
passed  resolutions  expressing  their  views  of  the  illegality 
and  irregularity  of  the  National  Compact,  and  declared 
they  would  henceforth  consider  themselves  independent  of 
its  authority.  Consequently,  Hiram  and  Mt.  Paven 
Lodges  of  Detroit,  and  North  Star  Lodge  of  Grand 
Eapids,  secured  dispensations  from  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ohio,  to  form  these  three  Lodges,  looking  forward 
to  the  organization  of  an  Independent  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge.  After  due  time  they  received  their  charters  and 
opened  communication  with  the  Craft  throughout  the 
State.  Having  met  with  much  encouragement,  a mass 
convention  of  Masons  was  called  to  meet  in  the  city  of 
Detroit,  Mich.,  September  23d,  1872.  This  call  was  signed 


240 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


by  I.  Burdine,  W.  M.;  William  Colbert,  S.  H.  Wells, 
James  Hays,  of  Hart  Lodge,  No.  2,  Ypsilanti ; John  J. 
Evans,  W.  M.,  of  Strother  Lodge,  No.  3,  Battle  Creek ; 
Richard  Gatewood,  J.  W.,  David  Carneal,  Treasurer,  C. 
W.  Thompson,  Secretary,  of  St.  Paul’s  Lodge,  No.  4,  De- 
troit; Stephen  Ribinson,  W.  M.,  Henry  Crone,  S.  W.,  Chas. 
Hill,  J.  W.,  of  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  10,  Detroit;  Samuel 
Stephens,  W.  M.,  of  Zion  Lodge,  No.  11,  Pontiac;  Jacob 
Highwarden,  W.  M.,  of  North  Star  Lodge,  No.  15,  Grand 
Rapids;  William  Mumford,  W.  M..  Thomas  F.  Cary,  S. 
W.,  E.  P.  Harper,  J.  W.,  of  Mount  Paven  Lodge.  No.  33 ; 
James  F.  Mitchell,  W.  M.,  J.  F.  Richards,  S.  W.,  J.  M. 
Wells,  J.  W.,  of  Unity  Lodge,  No.  34. 

H.  D.  Vena,  Chairman, 

Dr.  J.  Highwarden, 

John  C.  Ferguson,  S-  Committee. 
Thomas  F.  Cary, 

J.  Frank  Richards, 


Pursuant  to  call,  representatives  from  Strother  Lodge, 
No.  3,  of  Battle  Creek;  Hiram,  No.  10,  Detroit;  Zion.  No. 
11,  Pontiac,  and  North  Star,  No.  15,  of  Grand  Rapids,  and 
many  other  brethren,  members  of  the  various  Lodges 
throughout  the  State,  met  and  organized.  These  Lodges, 
by  virtue  of  their  warrants,  formed  themselves  into  an  In- 
dependent Sovereign  State  Grand  Lodge  under  the  style 
and  title  of  “Unity  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Ma- 
sons for  the  State  of  Michigan,”  with  Brother  Harrison  J. 
Lewis,  of  Hudson,  as  Grand  Master,  and  Brother  Wilmot 
A.  Johnson,  of  Detroit,  as  Grand  Secretary.  The  Lodges 
were  renumbered  as  follows:  Hiram,  No.  1,  Detroit; 

Mount  Paven,  No.  2,  Detroit  ; Strother,  No.  3,  Battle 
Creek;  Zion,  No.  4,  Pontiac;  North  Star,  No.  5,  Grand 
Rapids.  New  charters  were  ordered  to  be  issued.  A 
Committee  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  Brothers  J.  F.  Richards,  H.  D.  Yena  and 
T.  F.  Cary. 

The  first  annual  communication  of  Unity  Grand  Lodge 
convened  in  the  city  of  Detroit,  January  13th,  1813.  The 
constitution  and  by-laws  as  reported  by  the  committee  were 
adopted.  Resolutions  were  adopted  appointing  a com- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  24 \ 

mittee  of  three  to  petition  the  State  Legislature  to  incor- 
porate this  Grand  Lodge.  A committee  of  five  was  ap- 
pointed to  draft  a petition  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Michigan, 
F.  and  A.  M.  (white),  for  recognition.  In  the  mean- 
time the  Compact  Grand  Lodge  went  through  the  form  of 
expelling  every  Mason  who  had  withdrawn  their  allegiance 
from  its  authority  and  forbade  its  members  to  hold  Ma- 
sonic intercourse  with  any  and  all  of  those  who  had  under 
the  warrants  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  organ- 
ized an  Independent  Grand  Lodge.  The  contention  be- 
tween these  rival  grand  bodies  at  times  became  very  bitter. 
From  time  to  time  committees  were  appointed  to  restore 
peace  and  perfect  a union.  At  their  annual  communica- 
tion, held  in  Jackson,  December  7-10th,  1875,  the  Compact 
Grand  Lodge,  realizing  that  the  much  abused  Unity  Grand 
Lodge  was  here  to  stay,  and  had  been  recognized  by  every 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  the  United  States,  and  there 
were  very  few  of  any  other  kind  left  at  that  date,  unani- 
mously adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

“Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  do  hereby  rescind  all 
Masonic  disabilities  imposed  on  the  members  of  Unity 
Grand  Lodge. 

“Resolved,  That  the  members  and  representatives  meet 
in  conference  at  two  o’clock  P.  M.  the  committee  of  Unity 
Grand  Lodge  (so  called)  upon  the  subject  of  uniting  the 
two  Grand  Lodges  and  their  members.” 

At  this  conference  Brother  Lewis  Roberts  presided  and 
Brother  John  C.  Ferguson  acted  as  secretary.  Brothers 
H.  D.  Yena,  Stephen  Robinson,  John  C.  Ferguson  and  C. 
F.  Hill  ably  represented  Unity  Grand  Lodge.  The  pur- 
pose of  this  conference  failed,  because  no  plan  could  be 
agreed  upon  by  which  a union  could  be  effected,  but  it  was 
agreed  “That  it  is  the  desire  and  wish  of  the  Masons  con- 
stituting this  conference  to  unite  into  one  Grand  Lodge, 
and  that  both  parties  would  use  their  influence  to  bring 
about  this  union.” 

One  bv  one  the  Lodges  were  surrendering  their  warrants 
and  taking  oiit  new  ones  under  the  authority  of  Unity 
Grand  Lodge.  February  13tli,  1S78,  a call  for  a Masonic 


242 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


convention  composed  of  representatives  of  both  factions 
was  issued  to  meet  in  the  city  of  Battle  Creek,  March  4th, 
1878,  to  settle  all  differences  and  to  form  a union  satis- 
factory to  all  of  their  members  in  the  State.  This  was 
not  consummated  until  eight  years  later  at  one  of  the  con- 
ferences held  at  Kalamazoo,  November  23d,  1886,  by  the 
representatives  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  among  whom 
were  the  following  officers : 

Of  the  National  Compact  Grand  Lodge — G.  IV.  Roberts, 
G.  M.;  E.  W.  Stewart,  S.  G.  W.;  J.  A.  Clay,  J.  G.  W. ; 
W.  F.  Connor,  G.  Treasurer;  James  H.  Dungell,  G.  Chap- 
lain. 

Of  Unity  Grand  Lodge — J.  J.  Evans,  G.  M. ; H.  H. 
Tillman,  S.  G.  W. ; W.  H.  Parker,  J.  G.  W. ; A.  D.  Cook, 
G.  Treasurer;  W.  H.  Butler,  G.  Secretary;  A.  C.  Chase, 
G.  Chaplain ; 

Grand  Master  G.  W.  Roberts  presided  and  W.  T.  Butler 
acted  as  secretary.  After  mature  deliberation  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted : 

" Whereas , We,  the  representatives  of  the  two  grand 
bodies  existing  in  the  State  of  Michigan,  believing  that  the 
existence  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  is  detrimental  to  the 
best  interests  of  all  concerned,  therefore,  be  it 

“Resolved,  That  the  two  Grand  Lodges  unite  as  one, 
under  the  name  and  title  of  Union  Grand  Lodge,  F.  and 
A.  M.,  for  the  State  of  Michigan.” 

This  action  was  confirmed  by  both  grand  bodies  at  their 
next  annual  communication,  and  on  January  26th,  1887, 
Unity  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  sine  die,  and  Union  Grand 
Lodge  was  organized,  Brother  J.  M.  Wells  presiding.  A 
Committee  on  Credentials  was  appointed  and  reported 
the  following  legal  representatives  present:  From  Hiram 

Lodge,  No.  1,  Detroit,  H.  D.  ATena:  Mount  Paven  Lodge, 
No.  2,  Detroit,  Elisha  Hunter;  Strother  Lodge,  No.  3, 
Battle  Creek,  W.  H.  Gurley;  North  Star  Lodge,  No.  4, 
Grand  Rapids,  D.  A.  Moore;  Celestial  Lodge,  No.  5,  Bay 
City,  Perry  Sanford;  East  Star  Lodge,  No.  6,  Saginaw, 
Robert  Robinson;  Mount  Olivet  Lodge,  No.  7,- Ypsilanti, 
S.  Robinson;  Capital  Lodge,  No,  8,  Lansing,  G,  W.  Hen- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  243 

derson;  Harrison  Lodge,  Ho.  9,  Hiles,  William  Powers; 
Central  Lodge,  Ho.  10,  Kalamazoo,  W.  A.  Hill;  Granite 
Lodge,  Ho.  11,  Day,  J.  W.  Vaughn;  Morning  Star  Lodge, 
Ho.  12,  Pontiac,  E.  M.  Jarvis;  Buchanan  Lodge,  Ho.  13, 
Buchanan,  G.  0.  Curtis ; Covert  Lodge,  Ho.  14,  Covert,  W. 
F.  Connor;  St.  Mary’s  Lodge,  Ho.  15,  Ann  Arbor,  W.  T. 
Blackburn ; St.  Peter’s  Lodge,  Ho.  16,  Kalamazoo,  H. 
Bailey;  Martin  Lodge,  Ho.  17,  Paw  Paw,  W.  G.  Roberts. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  Unity  Grand 
Lodge,  the  grand  officers  were  then  elected,  and  Union 
Grand  Lodge  was  opened  on  the  third  degree  of  Masonry, 
M.  W.  Grand  Master-elect  presiding.  The  grand  officers 
were  then  duly  installed  by  P.  G.  M.  John  W.  Harrison. 

At  the  first  annual  communication  of  this  reorganized 
and  reunited  body,  January  23d,  1S88,  Brother  W.  G. 
Roberts,  P.  G.  M.  of  the  Hational  Compact  Grand  Lodge, 
in  the  following  neat  little  speech,  surrendered  the  last 
vestige  of  authority  of  that  grand  body  in  this  State : 

“Brethren  : It  is  a fact  self  evident  to  you  all  that  a 

great  deal  of  dissatisfaction  has  existed  among  colored 
Masons  in  the  State  owing  to  the  fact  of  the  existence  of 
the  two  separate  independent  Grand  Lodges  in  this  juris- 
diction. We  having  the  honor  of  being  elected  Grand  Mas- 
ters of  the  Hational  Compact,  and  Most  Worthy  Brother 
John  J.  Evans,  Grand  Master  of  Unity  Grand  Lodge. 
During  the  spring  of  1887  we  opened  correspondence 
relative  to  a settlement  of  the  matter  and  have  them  united. 
A place  and  date  was  fixed  upon,  representatives  from  both 
factions  met,  and  we  clasped  hands  as  brethren,  agreeing 
to  travel  the  high  road  to  prosperity  under  the  name  of 
Union  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State  of  Michigan.  This 
being  done  over  a year  ago,  I have  the  pleasure  of  handing 
to  the  Grand  Secretary  the  old  Hational  Compact  War- 
rant, to  be  placed  in  the  archives  of  Union  Grand  Lodge 
as  a relic,  and  I would  say  that  the  act  of  turning  this  old 
warrant  over  to-day  will  be  a period  long  to  be  remembered 
— one  that  coming  generations  will  refer  to  with  pride 
as  a great  and  memorable  event  done  by  us,  in  paving  the 
way  for  their  future  prosperity.  I would  sav  before  taking 
my  seat  that  the  union  has  proved  a great  blessing  to 


244 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


colored  Masons  in  Michigan.  We  have  to-day  more 
Lodges,  and  they  are  in  better  working  order,  than  ever 
before  in  our  history.  This  being  true,  our  labor  has  been 
a grand  success  in  every  particular.  Our  statistical  report 
will  bear  me  out  in  this  assertion.  Allow  me  to  say  in  con- 
clusion that  I voice  the  sentiments  of  the  former  members 
of  the  National  Compact  in  saying,  TTnited,  we  stand; 
divided,  we  fall.’  ” 


This  union  restored  harmony,  encouraged  work  and 
brought  prosperity  to  the  Craft.  There  are  now  thirteen 
Lodges  on  register. 

GRAND  MASTERS. 


John  W.  Harrison 
Thomas  J.  Martin 
Harrison  .T.  Lewis 
John  J.  Evans 

H.  D.  Vena  

J.  C.  Craig  

H.  D.  Vena  

Stephen  Robinson 
John  J.  Evans  . . . 

H.  D.  Vena  

W.  E.  Blackburn 

E.  N.  Price  

John  J.  Evans  . . . 
Robert  C.  Barnes  . 


1865 — 1870 

1870—1872 

1872— 1S74 

1874—1876 

1S76— 1879 

1879—1883 

1883—1884 

18S4— 1886 

1886— 188S 

18S8— 1891 

1891—1893 

1893— 1S95 

1895—1900 

1900—1901 

Present  G.  M. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES. 


Isaac  Burdine 1865 — 1872 

Wilmot  A.  Johnson  1872 — 1875 

Daniel  Cole  1875 — 1877 

James  E.  Armes  1877 — 1881 

George  W.  Henderson  1S81 — 1S82 

William  T.  Butler  1882— 18S8 

G.  O.  Curtis  1SSS— 1SS9 

Abner  It.  Byrd 1SS9— 1S93 

Isaiah  C.  Washington  1S93 — 1897 

Charles  T.  White 1S97— 1902 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  245 


CHAPTEK  XXVIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  CONNECTICUT — 1859. 

In  the  year  1859  Paul  Drayton,  Grand  Master  of 
Freemasons  of  the  State  of  Xew  York,  granted  a warrant 
to  nine  Master  Masons,  residing  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  to 
organize  a new  Lodge  of  Master  Masons,  under  the  title  of 
Widow’s  Son  Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  which  was  duly  estab- 
lished and  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York. 
In  1865  Lewis  E.  Hood,  Grand  Master  of  New  York,  estab- 
lished two  other  Lodges  in  this  State,  which  were  after- 
wards chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York. 
January  7th,  1874,  a convention  of  the  Craft  was  held  in 
the  c-it}r  of  Hartford,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand 
Lodge  of  Masons  for  the  State,  which  was  consummated  by 
the  election  of  II.  W.  Brother  William  H.  Lane,  Jr.,  M. 
W.  G.  M.,  and  other  grand  officers.  This  Grand  Lodge 
has  on  its  register  ten  chartered  Lodges  and  meets  an- 
nually for  the  purpose  of  electing  grand  officers  and  the 
dispatch  of  other  Masonic  business. 

There  was  also  established  in  this  jurisdiction,  May  28th. 
1880,  Eureka  Chapter,  No.  9,  chartered  by  the  'Grand 
Chapter  of  Boyal  Arch  Masons  of  New  York.  June  8th, 
1883,  St.  Paul  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  was  es- 
tablished and  warranted  by  the  Grand  Commandery  of 
New  York.  There  are  now  several  Chapters  and  Com- 
manderies  in  this  State  working  under  the  grand  bodies 
of  the  State  of  New  York.  This  Grand  Lodge  is  in  fra- 
ternal correspondence  with  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the 
United  States  and  foreign  grand  bodies  of  Masons. 


246 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  MISSOURI — 1865. 

The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of 
Missouri  and  Jurisdiction,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was 
formally  organized  February  8th,  1866,  in  the  city 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  with  Prince  Hall  Lodge,  Xo. 
1,  Lone  Star,  Xo.  2,  and  H.  McGee  Alexander,  Xo. 
3.  Brother  H.  McGee  Alexander  was  elected  its  first 
Grand  Master;  John  Sexton,  Grand  Senior  War- 
den; George  Phillips,  Grand  Junior  Warden;  William 
Roberson,  Grand  Secretary;  W.  P.  Brooks,  Grand  Treas- 
urer. Brothers  Moses  Dickson,  Sam  Livingston,  Ed- 
ward Butler,  J.  P.  Richards,  Henry  Turner  and  other 
prominent  Masons  of  that  day  were  present  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  organization. 

The  three  Lodges  mentioned  above  belonged  originally 
to  the  Ohio  jurisdiction,  but  withdrew  from  it  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  1865.  In  June,  1866,  the  infant  Missouri 
Grand  Lodge  became  a member  of  the  Xational  Grand 
Lodge  and  thus  continued  until  1875,  when  it  severed  its 
relations  with  that  grand  body  and  assumed  the  proud 
position  it  now  occupies  in  the  galaxy  of  Grand  Lodges 
of  the  world. 

The  first  special  communication  was  held  in  the  city  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  commencing  December  20th,  1866.  The 
Grand  Lodge  was  opened  on  the  third  rank  in  ample  form. 
Prayer  by  Grand  Chaplain  Rev.  Samuel  Livingston. 
Grand  officers  present  : 

H.  McGee  Alexander,  G.  Master, 

John  Sexton,  G.  S.  Warden, 

George  Phillips,  G.  J.  Warden, 

George  Phillips,  G,  J.  Warden, 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  247 

W.  P.  Brooks,  G.  Treasurer, 

Wm.  Roberson,  G.  Secretary, 

Albert  Essex,  G.  S.  Deacon, 

Edward  Butler,  G.  J.  Deacon, 

Moses  Dickson,  G.  Lecturer, 

Sam  Livingston,  G.  Chaplain, 

E.  S.  Woodson,  G.  M.  of  Ceremonies, 

Henry  Turner,  G.  Marshal, 

J.  P.  Richards,  G.  Sword  Bearer, 

Henry  Lewis,  G.  S.  Steward, 

W.  J.  Burk,  G.  J.  Steward. 

The  Grand  Lodge  being  property  constituted,  proceeded 
to  business  by  reading  the  warrant  from  the  National 
Grand  Lodge,  under  which  it  was  empowered  to  work.  On 


A.  R.  Chinn, 

Grand  Master  of  Missouri 

motion  the  warrant  was  ordered  printed.  The  Grand 
Master  appointed  the  usual  committees  to  facilitate  the 
work  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  At  this  special  session  Mackey's 


248  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

“Jurisprudence”  was  accepted  as  proper  authority  on  Ma- 
sonic law. 

The  first  annual  communication  was  held  in  the  city  of 
St.  Louis,  commencing  June  8th,  1867.  Grand  officers 
present: 


H.  McGee  Alexander,  G.  Master, 

John  Sexton,  G.  S.  Warden, 

George  Phillips,  G.  J.  Warden, 

James  Davis,  G.  Treasurer,  (Pro.  Tem.) 

Wm.  Roberson,  G.  Secretary, 

Members  of  Grand  Lodge,  eighteen. 

The  second  annual  session  convened  in  the  city  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  June  17th,  1868.  Grand  officers  present: 

Alexander  Clark,  acting  Grand  Master.  Grand  Master  H.  McGee 
Alexander  having  died  April  20,  of  that  year. 

Moses  Dickson,  D.  G.  Master,  (Pro  Tem.) 

Jas.  R.  D^vis,  S.  G.  Warden, 

John  Sexton,  J.  G.  Warden,  (Pro  Tem.) 

Wm.  P.  Brooks,  G.  Treasurer, 

Robert  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 


The  third  annual  session  convened  in  the  city  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  the  first  Monday  in  June,  1869.  Grand  officers 
present : 


Moses  Dickson,  G.  Master, 

W.  P.  Brooks,  D.  G.  Master, 

Francis  Roberson,  S.  G.  Warden, 

Wm.  Roberson,  J.  G.  Warden, 

Alex.  Clark,  G.  Treasurer, 

R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 

The  fourth  annual  communication  convened  in  Han- 
nibal, Mo.,  July  4th,  1870.  Grand  officers  present: 

Alexander  Clark,  G.  Master. 

W.  A.  Dove,  D.  G.  Master, 

G.  W.  Guy,  S.  G.  S.  Warden,  (Pro  Tem.) 

J.  W.  Braxton.  J.  G.  Warden.  (Pro  Tem.) 

Past  grand  officers  present : Moses  Dickson.  W.  R.  ^Lawton. 
Past  Grand  Masters ; J.  M.  M.  Stokes,  Past  Senior  Grand  M ar- 
den;  J.  W.  Hughes,  Past  Junior  Grand  Warden. 


Among"  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  249 


The  fifth  annual  communication  convened  in  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  July  3d,  1871.  Grand  officers  present: 

Alexander  Clark.  G.  Master, 

W.  It.  Lawton,  D.  G.  Master, 

J.  P.  Pritchard,  S.  G.  Warden, 

A.  Bostic,  J.  G.  Warden,  (Pro  Tem.) 

W.  P.  Brooks,  G.  Treasurer, 

G.  W.  Guy,  G.  Secretary. 

The  sixth  annual  communication  convened  in  Iveokuk, 
Iowa,  July  1st,  1872.  Grand  officers  present: 

Alexander  Clark,  G.  Master, 

J.  P.  Pritchard,  D.  G.  Master, 

C.  R.  Coleman,  S.  G.  Warden,  (Pro  Tem.) 

A.  Essex.  G.  J.  Warden, 

J.  G.  Pettiford,  G.  Treasurer,  (Pro  Tem.) 

G.  W.  Guy,  Grand  Secretary. 

The  seventh  annual  communication  convened  in  Inde- 
pendence, Mo.,  July  1st,  1873.  Grand  officers  present: 

W.  R.  Lawton,  G.  Master, 

A.  Collins,  D.  G.  Master,  (Pro  Tem.) 

•T.  W.  Braxton,  S.  G.  Warden, 

J.  W.  Hughes,  J.  G.  Warden, 

J.  G.  Bruce,  G*.  Treasurer, 

A.  Clark,  G.  Secretary. 

The  eighth  annual  communication  convened  in  Jeffer- 
son City,  Mo.,  July  17th,  1874.  Grand  officers  present: 

W.  R.  Lawton,  G.  Master, 

J.  W.  Braxton,  D.  G.  Master, 

J.  .T.  Pettiford,  S.  G.  Warden, 

J.  W.  Hughes,  J.  G.  Warden, 

J.  G.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

G.  W.  Guy,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  grand  officers  present : Brothers  Moses  Dickson,  Alexan- 
der Clark,  William  Brooks,  W.  N.  Brent. 

The  ninth  annual  communication  convened  in  Columbia, 
Mo.,  July  6th,  1875.  Grand  officers,  present : 

Alexander  Clark,  G.  Master,  P.  A.  Hubbard,  J.  G.  Warden, 
W.  B.  Ousley,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Treasurer, 

L.  S.  Fisher,  S.  G.  Warden,  G.  WT.  Guy,  G.  Secretary. 


250 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  tenth  annual  communication  convened  in  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  August  15th,  1876.  In  the  absence  of  Grand  Master 
Alexander  Clark,  Brother  Moses  Dickson  acted  as  Grand 
Master.  A dispatch  was  received  from  Grand  Master 
Alexander  Clark,  announcing  his  unexpected  detention  at 
Bock  Island,  that  he  would  arrive  at  eight  o’clock  P.  M., 
and  requested  that  the  Grand  Lodge  be  called  oil  until  that 
hour.  Called  off.  Grand  officers  present: 

Alex.  Clark,  G.  Master,  J.  Lange,  J.  G.  Warden, 

W.  A.  Dove,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

L.  S.  Fisher,  S.  G.  Warden,  W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Secretary. 

The  eleventh  annual  communication  convened  in  St. 
Joseph,  Mo.,  beginning  August  21st,  1877.  Grand  officers 
present : 

Alex.  Clark,  G.  Master,  Geo.  W.  Dupee,  .T.  G.  Warden, 

.T.  M.  M.  Stokes,  D.  G.  Master,  A.  Hubbard,  G.  Treasurer, 

IT.  II.  Jones,  S.  G.  Warden,  W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Secretary. 

The  twelfth  annual  communication  convened  in  Sedalia, 
Mo.,  commencing  August  20th,  1878.  Grand  officers 
present : 

M.  Dickson.  G.  Master,  C.  II.  Williams,  G.  J.  Warden, 

A.  Bland,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

J.  F.  Abbey,  G.  S.  Warden,  W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Secretary. 

The  thirteenth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Macon  City,  Mo.,  beginning  August  19th,  1879.  Grand 
officers  present: 

W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Master,  A.  Bland,  J.  G.  Warden, 

J.  N.  Wheeler,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

T.  A.  Head,  S.  G.  Warden,  R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 

The  fourteenth  annual  communication  convened  in  Han- 
nibal, Mo.,  beginning  August  17th,  1880.  Grand  officers 
present : 

W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Master,  A.  B.  Goodwin,  J.  G.  Warden, 
A.  Hubbard,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

A.  R.  Chinn,  S.  G.  Warden,  R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  25  i . 

The  fifteenth  annual  communication  convened  in  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo.,  beginning  August  16th,  1881.  Grand  officers 
present : 

W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Master,  C.  H.  Williams,  S.  G.  Warden, 

A.  R.  Chinn,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Masters  present:  M.  Dickson,  A.  Clark,  W.  R. 
Lawton. 

The  sixteenth  annual  communication  convened  in  Keo- 
kuk, Iowa,  beginning  August  17th,  1882.  Grand  officers 
present : 

W.  M.  Brent,  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  J.  Warden, 

J.  M.  M.  Stokes,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

J.  C.  C.  Owens,  G.  S.  Warden,  R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Masters  present:  Moses  Dickson,  W.  R.  Lawton, 
Alex.  Clark. 

The  seventeenth  annual  communication  convened  in  St. 
Joseph,  Mo.,  beginning  August  21st,  1883.  Grand  officers 
present : 

R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Master,  J.  Turner,  J.  G.  Warden, 

J.  C.  C.  Owens,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  .1.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

W.  N.  Brent,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Masters  present:  Moses  Dickson,  Alex.  Clark,  W. 
N.  Brent. 

The  eighteenth  annual  communication  convened  in  Se- 
dalia,  Mo.,  beginning  August  19th,  18.84.  Grand  officers 
present : 

R.  O.  Smith,  G.  Master,  S.  Bruce,  J.  G.  Warden, 

W.  H.  Jones,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.  Treasurer, 

John  Simms,  S.  G.  Warden,  .T.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Secretary. 
Past  Grand  Masters  present:  W.  R.  Lawton,  Alex.  Clark. 

The  nineteenth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Independence,  Mo.,  beginning  August  25th,  1885.  Grand 
officers  present: 


J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  Eli  Johnson,  G.  S.  Warden, 

G.  W.  Dupee,  D.  G.  Master,  R.  L.  Wood,  G.  J.  Warden, 


252 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Secretary, 

G.  W.  Guy,  G.  Treasurer.  (Pro  Tem.) 

Past  Grand  Masters  present:  W.  R.  Lawton,  Moses  Dick- 
son, R.  O.  Smith. 


The  twentieth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Springfield,  Mo.,  August  17th,  1886.  Grand  officers 
present : 


J.  II.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  H.  T.  Taylor.  G.  J.  Warden, 

G.  W.  Dupee,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  J.  Bruce,  G.t  Treasurer, 

J.  Burton,  G.  S.  Warden,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Secretary. 

Grand  Master  present:  Moses  Dickson. 


The  twenty-first  annual  communication  convened  in 
Omaha,  Neb.,  August  16th,  1887.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Rhodes.  J.  G.  Warden. 

G.  W.  Guy,  D.  G.  Master,  J.  C.  C.  Owens,  G.  Treasurer, 

H.  T.  Taylor,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Master  present:  Moses  Dickson. 


The  twenty-second  annual  communication  convened  in 


St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  August 
present : 

J.  IT.  Pelham,  G.  Master, 

W.  T.  Munford,  D.  G.  Master, 
Wm.  Rhodes,  G.  S.  Warden, 


21st,  1888.  Grand  officers 


M.  O.  Ricketts,  G.  J.  Warden, 
W.  IT.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

A.  It.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 


The  twenty-third  annual  communication  convened  in 
Columbia,  Mo.,  August  27th,  1889.  Grand  officers 

present : 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  Jas.  Gordon,  G.  J.  Warden, 

M.  O.  Ricketts,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 
Sandy  Mix,  G.  S.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 


The  twenty-fourth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Boonville,  Mo.,  August  19th,  1890.  Grand  officers 
present : 

J.  H.  Pelham.  G.  Master,  L.  D.  Carter,  G.  J.  Warden, 

Jas.  Gordon,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

B.  J.  Cooper,  G.  S.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Master  present:  Moses  Dickson. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  253 


The  twenty-fifth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Omaha,  Neb.,  August  18th,  1891.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer. 

L.  D.  Carter,  D.  G.  Master,  A.  R.  China,  G.  Secretary. 

M.  Jackson,  G.  S.  Warden.  (Pro  Tem.) 

G.  W.  Dupee,  G.  J.  Warden.  (Pro  Tem.) 

Past  Grand  Master  present:  Moses  Dickson. 

The  twenty-sixth  annual  communication  convened  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  August  16th,  1892.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  E.  J.  Hegamin,  J.  G.  Warden, 

E.  J.  Cooper,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  .Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

C.  P.  Covington,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  twenty-seventh  annual  communication  convened  in 
Kansas  City,  Mo.,  August  15th,  1893.  Grand  officers 
present : 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  Chas.  Grigsby,  G.  J.  Warden, 

W.  W.  Yates,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

J.  S.  Burnes,  G.  S.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  twenty-eighth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Moberly,  Mo.,  August  28th,  1891.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  W.  P.  Brooks,  J.  G.  Warden, 

IT.  R.  Graham,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

F.  H.  Bolton,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  twenty-ninth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Lexington,  Mo.,  August  20th,  1895.  Grand  officers 
present : 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  O.  H.  Winston,  J.  G.  Warden, 

F.  H.  Bolton,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

A.  J.  Nash,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  thirtieth  annual  communication  convened  in  Jeffer- 
son City, .Mo.,  August  18th,  1896.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  J.  E.  Herriford,  J.  G.  Warden, 

A.  J.  Nash,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

O.  H.  Winston,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 


254 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


The  thirty-first  communication  convened  in  Marshall, 
Mo.,  August  17th,  1897.  Grand  officers  present  : 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Master,  Isaac  Curl,  J.  G.  Warden, 

O.  H.  Winston,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 

J.  E.  Herriford,  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  thirty-second  annual  communication  convened  in 
Springfield,  Mo.,  August  16th,  1898.  Grand  officers 
present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Warden,  Isaac  Curl,  J.  G.  Warden, 

O.  H.  Winston,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer. 

J.  E.  Herriford.  S.  G.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

Past  Grand  Master  present:  Bro.  Moses  Dickson. 

The  thirty-third  annual  communication  convened  in  St. 
Joseph,  Mo.,  August  15th,  1889.  Grand  officers  present: 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Warden,  G.  F.  Perry,  G.  J.  Warden, 

J.  E.  Herriford,  D.  G.  Master,  W.  H.  Jones,  G.  Treasurer, 
Wm.  Smith,  G.  S.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

The  thirty-fourth  annual  communication  convened  in 
Sedalia,  Mo.,  August  21st,  1900.  Grand  officers  present : 

J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  Warden,  .T.  G.  Stevens,  G.  J.  Warden, 
Wm.  Smith,  D.  G.  Master,  R.  T.  Coles,  G.  Treasurer, 

J.  II.  Keener,  G.  S.  Warden,  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  Secretary. 

Bro.  A.  R.  Chinn,  G.  M.,  1901—1902. 

Bro.  J.  H.  Pelham,  G.  S.,  1901—1902. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2 55 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  KANSAS — 1865. 

The  first  Lodge  chartered  in  this  State  was  Western 
Star  Lodge,  Xo.  1,  located  at  Lawrence  in  1865,  David 
G.  Lett  as  M.  W.  Master.  Shortly  afterwards  Euclid 
Lodge,  Xo.  2,  located  at  Topeka,  and  Mount  Olive  Lodge, 
Xo.  3,  located  at  Leavenworth,  wrere  established  and  char- 
tered by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  John  Jones,  M.  W.  G. 
M.  These  Lodges  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
Ohio  until  1875,  when  a convention  of  the  Craft  was  called 
to  meet  at  Masonic  Hall,  Lawrence,  Kan.,  March  7th, 
1875,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  of 
Masons,  which  was  consummated  by  the  election  of  R.  W. 
Brother  David  G.  Lett,  M.  W.  G.  M.,  and  other  grand 
officers.  The  title  of  this  Grand  Lodge  is  Most  Worshipful 
Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  State  of  Kansas.  The  order  spread  rapidly 
after  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  There  have 
been  chartered  sixty-three  subordinate  Lodges  since  or- 
ganization. It  has  held  its  regular  meetings  and  is  in  fra- 
ternal correspondence  with  all  Grand  Lodges. 

This  Grand  Lodge  has  also  established  a Widows’  and 
Orphans’  Fund,  and  the  amount  contributed  to  this  fund  in 
1900  was  $1,598.87.  The  orphans  of  this  jurisdiction  are 
being  trained  for  the  battle  of  life  and  receiving  the  same 
education  as  that  of  the  most  highly  favored  class.  Brother 
Sol.  G.  Watkins,  G.  M.,  in  his  address  before  the  Grand 
Lodge,  held  at  Lawrence,  August,  1901,  said: 

“If  we  are  guarding  with  due  care  the  pillars  of  wisdom, 
strength  and  beauty;  if,  in  our  lives,  the  jewels  of  friend- 


256  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

ship,  morality  and  brotherly  love  sparkle  forth  as  genuine 
diamonds;  if  the  listening  ear,  the  silent  tongue,  and 
the  faithful  breast  do  in  every  truth  distinguish  us  from 
the  rest  of  the  world,  if  we  are  using  the  heritage  to  ele- 
vate, to  strengthen  mankind  and  to  build  up  nobler,  bet- 
ter and  purer  men,  to  make  better  sons,  husbands  and 
fathers  and  truer  citizens,  then  the  whole  Masonic  world 
will  say,  ‘Well  done;  enter  ye  into  the  full,  free  and 
complete  enjoyment  of  universal  Masonry.” 

F.  to  F.  that  we  should  go 

When  sickness  brings  a brother  woe, 

To  cheer  him  on  his  bed  of  pain. 

And  nurse  him  back  to  health  again. 

K.  to  K..  whene’er  we  pray. 

At  early  morn  or  close  of  day, 

A brother’s  name  should  claim  a share 
In  every  thought  and  every  prayer. 

R.  to  B.,  thee  still  to  keep 
A brother’s  secrets  hidden  deep. 

To  all  the  world  but  us  unknown, 

And  hold  them  sacred  as  our  own. 

H.  to  B.,  with  firmest  grasp, 

Encircling  arms  and  friendly  clasp, 

We  should  be  found  at  duty’s  call, 

To  stay  a brother’s  tottering  fall. 

M.  to  E.,  whene’er  we  find 
To  err  a brother  is  inclined. 

We'll  counsel  give  in  gentlest  tone 
And  breathe  it  to  his  ear  alone. 

Then  F.  to  F.  and  K.  to  K., 

True  brothers  we  should  ever  be; 

With  H.  to  P,.  and  B.  to  B., 

Each  striving  still  to  do  his  best, 

We’ll  whisper  words  of  hope  and  cheer, 

With  C.  to  C.  and  M.  to  E. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  257 


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OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  SINCE  ITS  ORGANIZATION,  1875—1902. 


258 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA — 1865. 

Ti-ie  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  granted  a charter  to  Rev.  J. 
W.  Hood  to  establish  King  Solomon  Lodge,  Xo.  1.  in 
Newberne,  X.  C.  This  Lodge  was  organized  September 
22d,  1865.  Bishop  J.  W.  Hood  was  its  first  W.  Master. 
Afterwards  Giblem  Lodge,  Xo.  2,  located,  at  Wilmington, 
and  Eureka  Lodge,  Xo.  3,  at  Fayetteville,  were  chartered  by 
the  same  authority.  These  Lodges  worked  under  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  until  the  15th  of  January,  1869. 
A convention  of  the  Craft  was  held  on  the  above  date,  at 
Wilmington,  and  organized  a Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M. 
for  the  State  of  Xorth  Carolina,  with  Bishop  J.  W.  Hood, 
M.  W.  G.  M. ; E.  R.  Dudley,  D.  G.  M. ; George  B.  Willis, 
G.  S.  W. ; Hezekiah  Reed,  G.  J.  W.  This  Grand  Lodge 
has  held  its  annual  communications  since  organization, 
elected  and  installed  its  grand  officers  and  established  a 
large  number  of  subordinate  Lodges. 

The  first  colored  man  made  a Mason  in  this  State  was 
William  H.  Hancock,  who  was  initiated,  passed  and  raised 
to  the  sublime  degree  of  a Master  Mason  in  St.  John’s 
Lodge,  Xo.  3 (white),  located  in  Xewberne.  Brother 
Hancock  became  Tiler  of  his  Lodge  and  held  this  position 
until  the  day  of  his  death. 

What  Was  Said  by  White  Masons  Relative  to  the 
Establishment  of  Lodges  for  Colored  Masons  in 
Xorth  Carolina. — In  1865,  Paul  Dravton.  Xational 
Grand  Master,  assisted  in  establishing  in  the  city  of  Xew- 
berne, King  Solomon  Lodge,  Xo.  1,  F.  A.  A.  M.  The 
white  Grand  Lodge  of  Xorth  Carolina  proceeded  to  ar- 
raign the  white  Grand  Lodge  of  Xew  York  for  violating 
its  Masonic  jurisdiction,  in  the  following  manner: 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  259 

“If  the  facts  be  true,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  has 
sent  an  agent  into  the  Southern  States  with  full  power  to 
organize  Lodges  throughout  the  southern  portion  of  the 
country,  that  said  Grand  Lodge  has  no  such  right. 

“We  fear  that  our  northern  brethren  are  in  gross  error  as 
to  their  Masonic  mission  to  the  South.  Why  should  the 
mission  be  to  the  South?  Why  not  to  the  negroes  of  the 
North?  We  fear  that  they  are  unconsciously  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  fanaticism ; that  they  have  unwholesome 
dreams  that  they  are  better  than  we.  And  we  do  allow 
ourselves  to  resist  the  conviction  that  we  are  not  more 
devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  negroes  of  the  South 
than  they  can  possibly  be.  They  were  born  in  our  fam- 
ilies; we  have  nursed  them  in  sickness,  labored  with  them 
in  the  field  and  in  the  shop. 

“We  have  rejoiced  with  them  when  we  had  much,  and 
suffered  with  them  when  we  had  little;  we  have  protected 
them  because  they  were  weak,  and  advised  them  because 
they  were  ignorant. 

“We  have  made  them  better  than  Africans  and  nearly 
equal  to  our  Northern  people,  themselves  being  the  judges. 
And,  but  for  fanaticism,  doubtless  many  of  them  would 
have  been  worthy  of  Masonic  privileges.  Our  earnest  de- 
sire now  is  still  further  to  improve  their  condition.  We 
would  educate  them,  improve  their  habits  and  manners, 
and  make  them  industrious  and  provident.’’ 

Our  white  brethren  of  North  Carolina  really  thought 
that  Paul  Drayton  was  a white  Mason,  for  he  certainly 
looked  like  one,  and  hailing  from  New  York,  and  the 
authority  of  a Grand  Master  of  Masons,  to  do  work  among 
the  negroes  of  the  South.  They  had  never  heard  of  a 
negro  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  the  world,  hence  the 
above  arraignment. 

The  above  paragraphs  are  remarkable  as  coming  from  a 
Southern  source.  They  do  not,  in  the  abstract,  question 
the  propriety  of  making  Masons  of  negroes.  Our  ancient 
landmarks  are,  that  he  that  be  made  a Mason  must  be  able 
in  all  degrees ; that  is,  freeborn,  worthy  and  well  qualified. 
It  is  not  necessary  that  the  candidate  should  be  a white 
man.  We  teach  that  in  every  clime  and  among  every 


260  • Official  History  of  Freemasonry- 

people  where  Masonry  has  existed,  and  to  every  human 
being  onr  benevolence  extends.  Bnt  propriety,  conformity 
to  government,  and  reasonable  to  religion  and  to  manners 
and  customs,  have  distinguished  our  order.  Our  communi- 
cations are  often  breast  to  breast,  mouth  to  ear.  Fellow- 
ship in  the  sense  of  the  most  perfect  equality,  intimate  re- 
lationship, and  close  communion,  is  the  chief  characteristic 
of  our  intercourse. 

We  are  not  disposed  to  criticise  the  above  paragraph, 
written  by  my  white  brethren  with  much  nicety,  but  that 
they  do  not  question  the  propriety  of  making  Masons  of 
negroes,  comes  with  singular  significance  from  a section  of 
the  country  that,  for  more  than  half  a century,  has  been 
consistent  in  its  denunciations  of  the  recognition  by  Xorth- 
ern  Grand  Lodges  of  colored  men  who  had  been  made 
Masons  even  in  foreign  countries  and  by  lawful  au/nor- 
ity.  Tempora  mutantur , et  nos  mutantur  in  illis. 

The  Almighty  never  made  a slave.  Slavery  is  a condi- 
tion into  which  the  child  enters  after  birth — the  strong 
taking  advantage  of  the  weak.  It  follows  then  that  his 
restoration  to  freedom  restores  him  to  all  his  natural  rights. 

There  are  in  this  State  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  Com- 
manderies  of  Ivnights  Templars  and  Scottish  Rite. 


GRAND  MASTERS.  18(39—1902. 


Rev.  Bishop  ,T.  W.  Hood, 
Rev.  E.  R Dudley, 

.T.  W.  Telfair, 

Hon.  Stewart  Ellson, 

W.  J.  Moore, 

E.  Lane, 

Hon.  George  H.  White, 

,T.  Williams, 

Rev.  J. 


R.  S.  Stevenson, 
James  B.  Dudley, 

L.  R.  Randolph, 

R.  B.  Me  Ray, 

S.  W.  Witherspoon, 

M.  R.  Holly, 

E.  W.  Hoke, 

A.  R.  Middleton, 

J.  Worlds. 


Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Brother  James  B.  Dudley, 
a Prominent  Grand  Master  in  Xortli  Carolina. — 
James  Benson  Dudley  was  born  a slave  in  Wilmington.  X. 
C.  He  was  son  of  John  Bishop  and  Annie  Hatch  Dud- 
ley. He  received  his  education  from  private  tutors  and 
the  public  schools  in  his  native  city  and  later  at  the  Insti- 
tute for  Colored  Youth  at  Philadelphia. 

He  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  his  county  and  was 


Among-  the  Colored  Peoole  in  North  America.  26  \ 


P.  G.  M.  James  B.  Dudley, 

• President  A.  and  M.  College,  Greensboro,  N.  C. 


262  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

principal  of  Peabody  School  in  Wilmington  from  1883  to 
1896. 

The  degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him  in  1898  by 
Livingston  College.  Because  of  his  brilliant  editorials 
and  productions  of  unquestionable  merit  while  editor  of 
the  Wilmington  Chronicle , he  became  one  of  the  literary 
leaders  of  the  negro  race.  He  has  been  chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  for  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity of  North  Carolina  for  many  years.  He  organized 
the  People’s  Perpetual  and  the  Metropolitan  Building  and 
Loan  Association,  and  in  this  way  has  not  only  succeeded 
in  teaching  the  people  of  his  State  economy  and  thrift  but 
enabled  many  poor  widows  and  hard  working  men  to 
secure  comfortable  homes. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  263 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA — 1865. 

In  the  year  1865  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts 
granted  a warrant  to  Lewis  Hayden  and  others  to  establish 
a Lodge  in  Charleston.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Xew  York 
established  two  other  Lodges  in  the  same  city.  This  being 
unoccupied  territory,  both  Grand  Lodges  sought  to  extend 
their  jurisdiction  by  establishing  other  Lodges  in  the  State. 
The  Massachusetts  Grand  Lodge  failed  while  National 
Grand  Master  Paul  Drayton  and  National  Deputy  Grand 
Master  R.  H.  Gleaves  succeeded  in  establishing  three 
Lodges  in  Charleston  in  the  winter  of  1865  and  one  in 
Columbia.  In  June,  1868,  a convention  of  the  Craft  was 
held  in  Charleston  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a Grand 
Lodge  for  the  State.  This  was  consummated  by  the  elec- 
tion of  a Grand  Master  and  other  grand  officers.  Since 
organization  this  Grand  Lodge  has  chartered  a number  of 
subordinate  Lodges  and  has  established  an  Endowment 
Fund  for  the  widows  and  orphans.  This  Grand  Lodge, 
like  all  other  Grand  Lodges  of  regular  Masons,  is  inde- 
pendent. It  is  in  fraternal  relation  with  all  other  Grand 
Lodges. 


PAST  GRAND  MASTERS,  1S6S— 1902. 


John  M.  Morris, 
Win.  H.  Birney, 


Robert  B.  Elliott, 


Geo.  E.  Johnston, 


Isaac  W.  White, 
John  M.  Morris, 
E.  B.  Burroughs, 


Charles  C.  Johnson,  1901 — 1902. 


PAST  GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1SGS— 1902. 


H.  L.  Bell, 

Geo.  H.  Dantzman, 
E.  J.  Sawyer, 

E.  J.  Sawyer, 


James  O.  Bampfield, 
A.  M.  Wallace, 

E.  J.  Sawyer, 

E.  J.  Sawyer,  1902. 


264 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina. 


OFFICERS,  1902. 

C.  C.  Johnson,  M.  W.  G.  M.,  Columbia. 

B.  F.  McDowell,  R.  W.  D.  G., 

T.  L.  Shiver,  R.  W.  G.  S.  W., 

J.  I.  Washington,  R.  W.  G.  J., 

E.  J.  Sawyer.  R.  W.  G.  Sect., 

R.  M.  Nixdn,  R.  W.  G.  Treas., 

McDonald  Ragius,  R.  W.  G.  Tiler, 

C.  C.  McRea,  R.  W.  G.  Chaplain, 

I.  D.  Davis,  R.  W.  G.  Lect., 

R.  C.  Davis,  R.  W.  G.  P.. 

T.  W.  Williams,  R.  W.  G.  M.,  L., 

A.  J.  Johnson,  R.  W.  G.  S.  D., 

D.  Moore,  R.  W.  G.  S.  S„ 

E.  W.  Allen,  R.  W.  G.  J.  S., 

S.  J.  Hart,  R.  W.  G.  S.  B.  Tiler, 

H.  L.  Davis,  R.  W.  G.  S.  B. 

DISTRICT  DEPUTIES. 

First  District — R.  E.  Wall,  Third  District — J.  C.  Jackson 
Second  District — T.  J.  Levy,  Fourth  District — E.  B.  Burroughs. 

There  may  be  found  also,  regular  organized  Royal  Arch  Chap- 
ters, Grand  Chapters,  Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars  and 
Scottish  Rite  regularly  organized. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  265 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  GEORGIA — 1865. 

In  1865  G.  M.  R.  H.  Gleaves,  of  the  Ohio  jurisdiction, 
warranted  three  Lodges  and  established  the  same.  The 
order  grew  rapidly,  and  on  the  21st  day  of  January,  1870, 
a convention  of  the  craft  assembled  in  Masonic  Hall, 
Atlanta,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for 
the  State.  The  convention  elected  a Grand  Master  and 
other  Grand  Officers.  There  are  many  chartered  subordi- 
nate lodges  in  the  State.  On  June  23d  the  corner  stone  of 
the  Widows’  and  Orphans’  Masonic  Home  and  Industrial 
School  was  laid  in  Amerieus,  Ga. 

For  some  time  there  were  two  Grand  Lodges  in  the 
State  of  Georgia.  On  June  26th,  1888,  Brother  W.  S. 
Terry,  G.  M.,  exercised  the  power  he  possessed  in  bringing 
together  and  harmonizing  the  dual  Grand  Lodges. 

In  order  to  perfect  the  Union  it  was  agreed,  through 
a conference  committee,  to  consolidate  on  amicable  terms. 
Grand  Master  W.  E.  Terry,  of  one  faction,  and  Grand 
Master  John  D.  Campbell  of  the  .other,  signed  the  agree- 
ment and  occupied  seats  of  honor  in  the  convention,  which 
was  called  to  order  by  Grand  Master  Terry  and  Past  Grand 
Master  John  H.  Deveaux  was  made  chairman.  The 
articles  of  agreement  were  read  and  approved.  Ninety- 
seven  Lodges  were  represented,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty 
Past  Masters. 

The  convention  consummated  the  union  and  organized 
one  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M.  for  the  State  of  Georgia 
by  electing  W.  E.  Terry  Grand  Master,  and  other  Grand 
Officers,  There  is  a bureau  of  endowment  connected  with 
this  Grand  Lodge,  with  a cash  capital  of  $13,600.  Since 


2 66 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


organization,  this  Grand  Lodge  has  moved  on  with  easy 
strides,  with  G.  M.  Terry  at  its  head.  His  brilliant  talents 
and  wide  experience  with  the  Masonic  world,  advanced 
Masonry  in  Georgia  to  such  an  extent  until  she  is  now 
a bright  star  in  the  Southern  firmament.  Brother  Terry 
died  July  1st,  1901,  after  many  years  of  service  as  Grand 
Master.  The  Craft  in  this  State  can  truly  say; 


Royal  Arch  Masonry  entered  the  State  of  Georgia  in 
1885.  A Chapter  was  organized  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  by  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  under  the  title 
of  Georgia,  Chapter  No.  21,  of  Holy  Royal  Arch  Masons. 
Other  Chapters  were  also  chartered  by  the  same  authority. 
St.  John’s  22,  Lumber  City,  Ga.,  1891;  Prince  Hall  23, 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  1901 ; Joshua  25,  Waycross,  Ga.,  1901 ; Stone 
Square  27,  Thomasville,  Ga.,  1S95 ; Acme  28,  Quince,  Ga., 
1895.  There  are  also  Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars 
and  Scottish  Rite. 


“Servant  of  God,  well  done! 
Thy  glorious  warfare’s  past, 


The  battle  is  fought,  the  race  well  won, 
And  thou  art  crowned  at  last.” 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1870—1902. 


L.  B.  Toomer, 
John  H.  Deveaux, 
Alexander  Harris, 


A.  R.  Deveaux, 

R.  Butler, 

John  D.  Campbell, 


Wm.  E.  Terry. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1870—1902. 


Solomon  C.  Johnson. 
F.  C.  Edwards, 


F.  A.  Crumbly, 
L.  B.  Toomer, 


John  H.  Deveaux. 


Among1  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  267 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  COLORADO — 1867. 

The  first  Masonic  Lodge  in  this  State  was  Rocky  Moun- 
tain Lodge,  No.  1,  F.  A.  and  A.  M.,  which  was  organized 
November  17th,  1867.  The  next  was  Western  Lodge,  No. 
2,  organized  January  10th,  1876.  Mount  Olive  Lodge, 
No.  3,  was  organized  January  11th,  1876. 

Rocky  Mountain  Lodge  worked  under  the  National  Com- 
pact system  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  from  1867  to 
1876. 

January  17th,  1876,  in  accordance  with  a previous  call, 
the  delegates  from  Rocky  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  1,  Western 
Lodge,  No.  2,  and  Mount  Olive  Lodge,  No.  3,  met  in  con- 
vention in  the  hall  of  Rocky  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  1,  of 
Denver,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  in 
the  Territory  of  Colorado.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  duly 
organized  by  electing  the  following  grand  officers  on  Janu- 
ary 18th:  M.  W.  R.  K.  Felton,  Grand  Master;  R.  W. 

Moses  Johnson,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  R.  W.  Isaac  Brown, 
Grand  Senior  Warden;  R.  W.  B.  F.  Catterdon,  Grand 
Junior  Warden;  R.  W.  J.  G.  Smith,  Grand  Treasurer;  R. 
W.  W.  R.  Chapman,  Grand  Secretary;  W.  T.  J.  Riley, 
Grand  Lecturer ; W.  Charles  B.  Murphy,  Grand  Chaplain ; 
W.  B.  F.  Eddington,  Grand  Senior  Deacon ; W.  H.  T.  Neil, 
Grand  Junior  Deacon;  W.  I.  W.  Hays,  Grand  Master  of 
Ceremonies ; W.  Moses  Thrashley,  Grand  Sword  Bearer ; 
W.  Henry  Berry,  Grand  Senior  Steward ; W.  Henry  Davis, 
Grand  Junior  Steward;  W.  Milo  Williams,  Grand  Pursui- 
vant; W.  John  Richardson,  Grand  Standard  Bearer;  W. 
Ralph  Branford,  Grand  Marshal-  W.  John  W,  Shipton, 
Grand  Tiler. 

This  jurisdiction  now  embraces  Wyoming,  Montana, 


268 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Utah,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  Territory.  There  are 
on  the  register  twenty-three  warranted  Lodges — seven  in 
Colorado,  two  in  Wyoming,  four  in  Montana,  one  in  Utah, 
four  in  New  Mexico,  four  in  Arizona,  and  one  in  Idaho. 

The  annual  assessment  is  one  dollar  per  capita  for  the 
support  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  There  was  organized  on 
March  5th,  1883,  in  the  city  of  Denver  one  Koval  Arch 
Chapter  known  as  Far  West  Chapter,  No.  6,  with  a mem- 
bership of  thirty-six,  working  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
Prince  Hall  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  of  Kansas.  There 
is  also  a Commandery  of  Knights  Templars,  which  was 
organized  December  21st,  1881,  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  United  Grand  Commandery  of  Missouri,  known  as 
Red  Commandery,  No.  18.  This  Commandery  severed  her 
connection  with  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Missouri  and 
joined  the  Prince  Hall  Grand  Commandery  of  Kansas  on 
the  13th  ,of  August,  1899,  and  is  now  known  as  Ked  Cross 
Commandery,  No.  11. 

ADDRESS  OF  L.  C.  CONNELL,  G.  M. 

“Friends  and  Craftsmen:— 

“This  is  no  new  feature,  that  we  are  here  to-day.  Sages 
sought  the  light  on  the  banks  of  the  Ganges,  and  in  the  coun- 
tries of  lower  India,  and  they  worshipped  love.  But  we  came 
here  to  pray  the  Father  for  more  light  and  the  expiation  of  a 
sinful  soul. 

“In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1775,  the  Masons  of  Boston 
City,  Mass.,  invited  Prince  Hall,  a prominent  colored  citizen,  to 
be  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Masonry.  Prince  Hall,  after 
due  deliberation,  accepted  the  invitation,  was  initiated,  passed 
and  raised  in  March,  1775.  Fourteen  other  colored  citizens  were 
made  Masons,  and  it  is  duly  recorded  that  each  of  these  candi- 
dates paid  the  initiation  fee. 

“Grand  Master  Gardner,  in  his  address  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Massachusetts  in  1870,  clearly  sets  forth  the  regularity  of 
Negro  Masonry,  when  he  said  that  after  patient  and  painstak- 
ing investigation,  he  found  documentary  evidence  that  on  the  6th 
day  of  March,  1775,  the  symbolic  degrees  of  Masonry  were  con- 
ferred upon  fourteen  colored  persons  in  a Military  Lodge  under 
the  Jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  After  remain- 
ing members  of  this  Military  Lodge  several  years,  on  recom- 
mendation of  the  Lodge,  Prince  Hall  to  be  Master.  Boston  Smith, 
Senior  Warden  and  Thomas  Sanderson.  Junior  Warden,  applied 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  a Charter,  and  it  was  granted 
to  them,  and  they  were  designated  as  African  Lodge  No.  459, 
September  29,  A.  D.  1784,  A.  L.  5784. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  269 

‘‘Prince  Hall  was  made  Provincial  G.  Master  of  the  Grand 
Podge  of  England,  and  soon  after  African  Lodge  No.  1 was  estab- 
lished at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  African  Lodge  No.  2 was  organ- 
ized at  Providence,  R.  I.” 

Brother  William  Sprague,  in  submitting  his  report  to  the 
twenty-third  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  said: 

Brethren — Through  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  the  Divine 
Master,  whose  favor  and  blessings  we  should  at  all  times  in- 
voke, we  have  again  been  permitted  to  assemble  in  Annual  Com- 
munication. While  actively  engaged  in  the  transactions  of  this 
Grand  Session,  let  us  pause  for  a moment  and  indulge  a few  re- 
flections concerning  the  social  and  moral  work  in  which,  as  an 
institution,  we  are  engaged.  I say  social  and  moral,  for  the  so- 
cial features  of  Masonry  should  on  no  account  be  neglected.  God 
created  us  as  social  beings  to  assist  and  encourage  each  other,  as 
well  as  for  mutual  pleasure.  If  we  each  stood  alone,  apart  from 
all  others,  like  an  isolated  iceberg,  and  sought  only  our  own  happi- 
ness in  a selfish,  uuamiable  state  of  mind  and  course  of  conduct, 
how  cheerless  and  forlorn  would  be  our  lives.  Without  develop- 
ing and  cultivating  our  social  natures  how  little  can  we  know  of 
the  real  joys  of  life,  which  we  might  possess  by  obedience  to  the 
dictates  of  our  social  natures.  If  our  brethren,  especially  the 
officers  of  our  lodges,  would  give  more  attention  to  the  social 
features  of  Masonry,  I have  no  doubt  it  would  result  in  bringing 
us  into  closer  and  stronger  bonds  of  fraternal  love  and  friendship. 

As  an  order  we  are  dealing  largely  with  the  young  men  of 
this  Jurisdiction,  and  herein  we  have  spread  out  before  us  a 
great  and  grand  field  for  moral  improvement.  Brethren,  shall 
we  occupy  and  cultivate  it?  We  claim  to  be  pre-eminently  a 
moral  institution,  and  while  we  are  proud  of  our  great  achieve- 
ments in  the  past,  let  us  press  forward  along  this  line  of  our 
work  to  yet  grander  and  more  glorious  victories.  Pre-eminently 
Masonry  is  an  institution  of  peace,  founded  on  the  rock  of  good 
will  to  man  and  to  all  men.  Brethren  who  thus  understand  it, 
and  are  animated  by  the  controlling  desire  of  benefiting  their 
fellow-men,  are  doubly  armed  to  break  down  the  walls  of  strife 
n^id  smooth  the  paths  of  discord.  However  hedged  and  ob- 
structed by  rugged  obstacles,  there  is  not  a lodge  in  this  Juris- 
diction which,  if  it  works  in  accord  with  the  principles  professed, 
cannot  root  out  every  element  which,  in  its  borders,  tends  to 
engender  inharmonious  action,  if  not  open  warfare.  It  should 
teach  as  much  by  example  as  by  words,  and  cultivate  a spirit  of 
harmony — the  offspring  of  genuine  brotherly  love — which  by  its 
reflex  action,  will  generate  that  love  throughout  the  community 
and  thereby  soften  every  asperity  which  may  appear.  What 
a field  for  beneficence;  what  a chance  for  every  brother  to  em- 
ploy his  talents  in  aiding  his  fellow-men  to  rise  to  the  height  to 
which  humanity  honesty  and  integrity  are  attained  with  little 
help  and  good  example. 


270  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


GRAND  LODGE,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  OF  COLORADO,  1876—1902. 


GRAND  MASTERS.  DEPUTY  GRAND  MASTERS. 


1876  R.  K.  Felton, 

1879— 80  T.  J.  Riley, 

1881  T.  J.  Riley, 

1882  T.  J.  Riley, 

1883  T.  J.  Riley, 

1884  T.  J.  Riley, 

1885  J.  F.  Frazier, 

1886  T.  J.  Riley, 

1887  D.  D.  Moore, 

1888  D.  D.  Moore, 

1889  T.  J.  Riley, 

1890  H.  H.  Powers, 

1891  H.  H.  Powers, 

1892  A.  D.  Weathers, 

1893  C.  R.  Robinson, 

1894  P.  J.  Barnard, 

1895  P.  J.  Barnard, 

1896  P.  J.  Barnard, 

1897  P.  J.  Barnard, 

1898  T.  J.  Riley, 

1899  I.  W.  Hayes, 

1900  L.  C.  Connell, 

1901  W.  W.  Taylor. 

S.  G.  WARDENS. 

1876—79  Isaac  Brown, 
1879  A.  Harrington, 

1880— 81  William  Barnett, 
1882  J.  R.  Ivinzy, 
1883—84  A.  Harrison, 
1885  Isaac  Alexander, 
1886 — 87  Samuel  Cook, 

1888  I.  W.  Hayes, 

1889  H.  H.  Powers, 

1890  Riley  Martin, 

1891  G.  H.  Young, 

1892  J.  F.  Curtis, 

1893  I.  W.  Hayes, 

1894  J.  D.  Johnson 

1895  L.  Borras, 

1896  L.  Borras, 

1897  J.  H.  Redd, 

1898  A.  J.  Young, 

1899  W.  H.  Barker, 

1900  Harry  Jones, 

1901  P.  H.  Gipson. 


1876 

Moses  Johnson, 

1879 

J.  F.  Curtis, 

1880- 

-81  William  McGinnis, 

1882 

S.  H.  Wells, 

1883 

W.  H.  Moore, 

1884 

W.  H.  Moore, 

1885 

William  Ross, 

1880 

William  Bushnell, 

1887 

I.  N.  Triplett, 

1888 

C.  R.  Robinson, 

1889 

S.  S.  Scott, 

1890 

J.  F.  Curtis, 

1891 

C.  B.  Hill, 

1892 

Wm.  Bushnell, 

1893 

S.  S.  Scott, 

1894 

L.  C.  Connell. 

1895 

J.  D.  Johnson, 

1896 

Sanford  Stewart, 

1897 

IT.  L.  Warfield, 

1898 

W.  W.  Taylor, 

1899 

W.  J.  Robinson, 

1900 

W.  W.  Taylor, 

1901 

J.  R.  Contee. 

J. 

G.  WARDENS. 

1876 — 79  F.  Catterden, 

1879- 

-80  C.  R.  Robinson, 

1881 

Alexander  McGaugh, 

1882 

W.  J.  Richardson, 

18S3- 

■86  Samuel  Cook, 

1886 

J.  F.  Frazier. 

1887 

Isaac  Mitchell, 

1888 

Charles  Cushenberry, 

1889 

P.  J.  Barnard, 

1890 

C.  B.  Hill, 

1891 

A.  D.  Weathers, 

1892 

G.  C.  Holmes, 

1893 

G.  C.  Holmes, 

1894 

C.  P.  Williams, 

1895 

C.  P.  Williams, 

1S96 

H.  L.  Warfield, 

1S96— 97  L.  Borras, 

189S 

C.  P.  Williams, 

1899 

E.  C.  Thompson, 

1900 

J.  H.  Redd, 

1901 

G.  W.  Caldwell. 

Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  27 1 


GRAND.  TREASURERS. 

1876—79  J.  G.  Smith, 
1879—80  H.  T.  Smith, 
1881  H.  T.  Smith, 

18S2  Irving  Williams, 

1883  J.  D.  Anderson, 

1884  J.  D.  Anderson, 

1885  J.  D.  Anderson, 
1880  Riley  Martin, 

1887  J.  D.  Anderson, 

1888  Samuel  Cook, 

1889  Smith  Gee, 

1890  Smith  Gee, 

1891  Smith  Gee, 

1892  Smith  Gee, 

1893  Smith  Gee, 

1894  Smith  Gee, 

1895  W.  W.  Taylor, 

1896  W.  W.  Taylor, 

1897  William  Sprague, 

1898  L.  C.  Connell, 

1899  J.  W.  Young, 

1900  J.  W.  Young, 

1901  G.  W.  Washington. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES. 

1870—79  W.  R.  Chapman, 

1879  D.  I).  Moore, 

1880  D.  D.  Moore, 

1881  D.  D.  Moore, 

1882  A.  Palmer, 

1883  D.  D.  Moore, 

1884  D.  D.  Moore, 

1885  D.  D.  Moore, 

1886  D.  D.  Moore, 

1887  G.  W.  Hill, 

1888  Thomas  Logan, 

1889  Thomas  Logan, 

1890  D.  D.  Moore, 

1891  D.  D.  Moore, 

1892 — 93  D.  D.  Moore, 

1894  G.  W.  Barker, 

1895  E.  G.  Rollins, 

1896  E.  G.  Rollins, 

1897  .T.  IL  Contee, 

1898  Wm.  Sprague, 

1899  Wm.  Sprague, 

1900  Wm.  Sprague, 

1901  Wm.  Sprague 


272 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  FLORIDA — 1867. 

The  first  three  Lodges  in  the  State  of  Florida  were 
established  by  Brother  Charles  F.  Daily,  a man  of  unusual 
ability,  of  whom  we  shall  speak  more  hereafter.  Solomon 
Lodge,  Xo.  50,  St.  John’s  Lodge,  Xo.  51,  and  Mount 
Moriah  Lodge,  Xo.  52,  were  organized  by  Brother  Daily 
and  chartered  by  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania, 
March  2d,  1867,  George  L.  Berry,  M.  W.  G.  M.  On 
January  17th,  1868,  through  the  influence  of  Brother 
Daily,  Harmony  Lodge,  Xo.  53,  now  Xo.  1,  Prince  Hall 
Lodge,  Xo.  54,  now  Xo.  2,  and  Island  City  Lodge,  Xo.  55, 
now  Xo.  3,  were  all  chartered  by  the  same  authority.  A 
general  assembly  of  the  Craft  was  called  to  meet  June 
17th,  1870,  in  the  city  of  Jacksonville,  for  the  purpose  of 
Organizing  a Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  for  the  State.  The 
convention  was  presided  over  by  R.  W.  Brother  Charles 

F.  Daily,  Deputy  Grand  Master  for  the  Southern  Juris- 

diction, under  Hiram  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  with 
W.  Brother  Charles  H.  Pierce  as  Grand  Secretary.  The 
convention  remained  in  session  two  days.  A code  of  laws 
for  the  jurisdiction  was  adopted,  and  the  Lodges  were  con- 
solidated, renumbered  and  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Florida.  The  following  grand  officers  were  elected  for  the 
ensuing  year:  Harry  H.  Thompson,  G.  M. ; John  H.  Rob- 

inson. D.  G.  M. ; Robert  Smith,  G.  S.  W. ; James  Roberts, 

G.  J.  W. ; Emanuel  Fortune,  G.  Treasurer:  F.  H.  Dunkins, 
G.  Secretary ; Rev.  Charles  H.  Pierce,  G.  Chaplain ; since 
which  time  the  Grand  Lodge  has  held  its  regular  communi- 
cations, chartered  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  subordinate 
Lodges,  and  has  a membership  of  9,564. 

Brother  Charles  F.  Daily,  33°,  was  born  in  St.  Thomas. 
West  Indies,  in  1820,  and  in  1840  he  was  in  the  fruit  trade 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  273 

between  Florida  and  Europe.  He  was  the  leading  colored 
Mason  in  that  part  of  the  South  at  the  time,  and  he  ac- 
cepted the  Deputy  Grand  Mastership  under  Hiram  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  in  1865.  Brother  Daily  received 
his  first  three  degrees  in  a Lodge  in  Liverpool,  England, 
and  the  Scottish  Rite  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  was 


Rev.  John  H.  Dickerson, 

Grand  Master  of  Florida. 

knighted  at  Greenock,  Scotland.  He  returned  to  his  native 
home,  St.  Thomas,  where  he  took  membership  under  the 
Grand  Orient  of  France. 

Appeal  of  Grand  Master  Dickerson  to  Masons. 

“To  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  the  United  States 
and  All  the  World  : 

“Friday,  May  3d,  1901.  a great  fire  originated  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  city  and  in  a mattress  factory 


274 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


conducted  by  whites.  This  factory  was  in  a colored  com- 
munity. The  wind  was  high  and  the  houses  dry,  and  a 
great  conflagration  swept  in  its  path  more  than  ISO  solid 
blocks  or  more  than  two  thousand  acres,  leaving  homeless 
■20,000  jieople  and  destroying  nearly  $25,000,000  worth  of 
property.  Whereas  there  is  hardly  an  inhabitant  of  the 
great  metropolis  of  the  State  of  Florida  who  has  not  lost 
his  home,  business  or  emplo}Tment,  and  in  many  cases  all, 
and  among  the  victims  being  those  who  would  under  other 
circumstances  be  the  first  to  contribute  to  the  relief  of  the 
distressed;  and  whereas,  being  unable  to  help  ourselves, 
and  whereas,  seven  Lodges  have  been  made  homeless,  and 
our  great  Temple  destroyed,  therefore  we  issue  this  appeal 
to  the  Masonic  fraternity  wherever  dispersed  around  the 
globe.  Send  anything.  Not  only  were  houses  burned, 
but  their  contents.  Even  women  and  children  did  not 
escape  the  destructive  flames.  Send  provisions,  shoes, 
wearing  apparel,  money — anything  not  perishable. 

“All  contributions  should  be  addressed  to  Bev.  John 
H.  Dickerson,  G.  M.,  1332  W.  Adams  Street,  Jacksonville, 
Fla.  Prof.  John  G.  Eiley,  D.  G.  M. ; Bev.  B.  B.  Brooks, 
G.  S.  W. ; Hon.  John  Jackson,  G.  J.  W. ; A.  J.  Junius, 
Treasurer;  Dr.  D.  W.  Gillislee,  Chaplain;  Bev.  B.  E.  Bob- 
inson,  G.  Lecturer.  Attest  : E.  I.  Alexander,  G.  Secre- 
tary, 1520  Clay  Street,  Jacksonville,  Fla.” 

Boyal  Arch  Masonry  in  Florida. — On  August  12th, 
1881,  the  first  Chapter  of  Boyal  Arch  Masons  was  organ- 
ized by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
The  subordinate  Chapters  at  Jacksonville,  Key  West, 
Palatka  and  Ocala  paid  their  dues  to  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
the  District  of  Columbia  until  1898,  when  a constitutional 
number  of  subordinate  Chapters  having  been  organized, 
they  met  in  convention  and  petitioned  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  for  a release  in  order  that  they 
might  establish  a Grand  Chapter  in  their  own  State. 

The  Grand  Boyal  Arch  Chapter  of  Florida  was  organized 
August  29th,  A.  D.  1898,  with  the  following  officers: 

Reuben  S.  Mitchell,  33rd  degree,  Grand  High  Priest, 

Elias  Sellers,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

L.  H,  Littles,  Grand  King. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  275 

Benjamin  Dilworth,  Grand  Scribe. 

Joseph  P.  Williams,  Grand  Secretary. 

Wm.  J.  Henry,  Grand  Treasurer. 


GRAND  OFFICERS  FOR  1899. 

R.  S.  Mitchell,  33rd  degree,  Grand  High  Priest. 
Lucius  H.  Littles,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 
John  H.  Dickerson,  Grand  King. 

Chas.  H.  Jones,  Grand  Scribe. 

Benjamin  Dilworth,  (Deceased)  Grand  Treasurer. 
Michael  J.  Preston,  33rd  degree,  Grand  Secretary. 


GRAND  OFFICERS  FOR  1900. 

Reuben  S.  Mitchell,  Grand  High  Priest. 

James  R.  Shackleford,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest. 

H.  B.  Jordan,  Grand  King. 

Wm.  A.  Glover,  Grand  Scribe. 

Benjamin  Dilworth,  Grand  Treasurer. 

Michael  J.  Preston,  Grand  Secretary. 

Knights  Templars  in  Florida. — The  first  three  Com- 
manderies  of  Knights  Templars  were  constituted  and  es- 
tablished by  the  Grand  Commandery  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  in  1883.  They  were  located  at  Key  West,  Jack- 
sonville and  Ocala. 

A convention  held  at  Jacksonville  August  28th,  1898, 
succeeded  in  organizing  a Grand  Commandery  for  the 
State  with  the  following  officers : 

Reuben  S.  Mitchell,  33rd  degree,  Rt.  Em.  Gr.  Commander. 

Benjamin  Dilworth,  Vice  Em.  Grand  Commander. 

Lucius  H.  Littles,  Em.  Gr.  Generalissimo. 

Richard  Wood,  Em.  Gr.  Capt.  General. 

Wm.  McQueen,  Em.  Gr.  Treasurer. 

Michael  J.  Preston,  Em.  Gr.  Recorder. 


GRAND  OFFICERS  FOR  1899. 

Reuben  S.  Mitchell,  33rd  degree,  Rt.  Em.  Gr.  Commander. 
Lucius  H.  Littles,  Vice  Em.  Gr.  Commander. 

Daniel  R.  Baxter,  Em.  Grand  Generalissimo. 

Richard  Wood,  Em.  Grand  Capt.  General. 

Wm.  McQueen,  Em.  Grand  Treasurer. 

Michael  J,  Preston,  Em.  Gi’and  Recorder. 


276 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


PAST  GRAND  MASTERS, 

1870—1902. 

Harry  Thompson, 

Alonza  Jones, 

John  R.  Scott, 

Tillman  Valentine, 

R.  S.  Mitchell, 

Samuel  H.  Coleman, 

John  H.  Dickerson. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES. 

1870—1902. 

Charles  H.  Pearce, 

Joseph  E.  Lee, 

Nathan  J.  Cambridge, 
James  J.  Forbes, 

R.  S.  Mitchell, 

Henry  W.  Chandler, 

E.  I.  Alexander. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  277 


CHAPTER  XXXYI. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  TENNESSEE — 1867. 

In  the  year  1867  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  granted  a 
charter  to  nine  Master  Masons  living  in  Nashville  to  con- 
stitute and  work  a Master’s  Lodge  there  under  the  title  of 
Rock  City  Lodge,  No.  17,  F.  A.  A.  M.  A charter  was 
also  given  fourteen  Master  Masons  in  Memphis  to  form 
Decker  Lodge.  Shortly  afterwards  several  other  Lodges 
were  organized  and  chartered  by  the  same  authority. 

The  Lodges  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Ohio 
until  the  31st  day  of  August,  1870,  when  a convention  of 
the  Lodges  was  held  at  Masonic  Hall,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State, 
which  was  accomplished  by  the  election  of  Rev.  Bro.  Nelson 
McGavock  as  Grand  Master,  and  other  Grand  Officers. 

Since  organization  this  Grand  Lodge  has  been  in  regular 
communication  with  the  Masonic  world,  and  has  its  Grand 
Representatives  near  the  Grand  East  of  thirty-five  Grand 
Lodges  in  the  Hnited  States ; is  in  fraternal  correspondence 
with  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Continental  Europe,  and  has 
constituted  and  chartered  ninety-eight  subordinate  Lodges 
with  a large  membership. 

This  jurisdiction  has  also  an  Endowment  Bureau  at- 
tached, with  Brother  J.  H.  Kelly  as  secretary,  which  pays 
thousands  of  dollars  to  widows  and  orphans. 

Royal  Arch  Masonry  was  introduced  into  the  State  in 
1874.  A Chapter  was  organized  and  chartered  by  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  Ohio  in  1875  and  1876.  Several  other 
Chapters  were  opened  and  in  1881  a convention  was  called 


278  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

and  a Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  for  the  State  was  estab- 
lished. 

In  1880  several  Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars  were 
warranted  by  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Ohio.  In  1892  a 
convention  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand 
Commandery  for  the  State  which  was  consummated  by  the 
election  of  the  necessary  grand  officers. 

The  grand  communication  was  held  at  Chattanooga. 
June  16th,  1902.  There  were  128  representatives  present. 


W.  S.  Thohi'su.n, 

Grand  Secretary  of  Tennessee. 


Every  department  of  Masonry  was  reported  to  be  in  a 
healthy  condition. 

Regulations  establishing  a Widows’  and  Orphans’  Home 
was  passed  and  a board  of  directors  was  elected  to  carry 
out  the  plans  as  outlined  by  the  by-laws  adopted. 

Masonic  Herald,  a monthly  organ,  will  be  issued  by 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  sent  to  Lodges  and 
members  who  may  desire  it.  It  is  edited  at  Lebanon,  by 
Brother  J.  R.  Inman. 

The  Endowment  Department  is  in  excellent  working  or- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  279 

der  and  much  good  has  been  accomplished  by  it.  It  has 
been  established  eight  years  and  the  annual  report  shows  a 
cash  balance  on  hand  of  $1,282.35,  after  all  claims  have 
been  paid. 

A beautiful  banner  has  been  purchased  for  the  Grand 
Lodge  through  the  efforts  of  G.  M.  Henry.  The  following 
is  a list  of  grand  officers  since  organization  to  the  present: 


J.  A.  Henry, 


Grand  Master  of  Tennessee. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1870-1902. 


Nelson  McGarock, 
P.  F.  Hill, 

W.  S.  Thompson, 
D.  J.  Hodges, 


M.  J.  R.  Gentle. 


J.  A.  Henry, 
R.  W.  Harris, 
E.  W.  Mosely, 
Berry  Jeffries, 


GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1870—1902. 

W.  S.  Williams,  A.  W.  Williams, 

A.  B.  Bradford,  W.  S.  Thompson, 

J.  R,  Inman,  J.  A.  Henry, 


280 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


GRAND  OFFICERS  FOR  1902-1903. 


.T.  A.  Henry,  Chattanooga M.  W.  Grand  Master 

Alex.  Webb,  Memphis It.  W.  Dep.  Gr.  Master 

W.  O.  Smith,  Knoxville R.  W.  Gr.  Senior  Warden 

E.  W.  Alexander,  Jackson R.  W.  Gr.  Jun.  Warden 

R.  G.  Martin,  Memphis R.  W.  Grand  Treasurer 

W.  S.  Thompson.  Nashville R.  W.  Gr.  Secretary 

J.  H.  Kelley,  Columbia R.  W.  Sec.  & Treas.  Endowm’t 

J.  R.  Inman,  Lebanon R.  W.  Editor  Masonic  Herald 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  281 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  MISSISSIPPI — 1868. 

The  first  three  Lodges  in  this  State  were  Stringer, 
Lynch  and  Revels,  established  and  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ohio  in  1868.  Shortly  afterwards  St.  John  and 
Eureka  Lodges  were  warranted  by  the  same  authority. 
Other  Lodges  were  also  organized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri.  The  order  made  no  substantial  progress,  how- 
ever, until  1875,  when  Brother  Thomas  W.  Stringer,  the 
first  P.  G.  M.  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  located  in  the 
State.  Immediately  he  gathered  the  Craft  in  convention 
and  organized  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State,  which  was  ac- 
complished by  the  election  of  M.  W.  Brother  Thomas  W 
Stringer  Grand  Master  and  other  grand  officers.  The  title 
of  this  Grand  Lodge  is  “The  M.  W.  Stringer  Grand  Lodge, 
F.  A.  A.  M.,  of  the  State  of  Mississippi.”  Brother 
Stringer  had  years  of  experience  as  a Mason  and  Grand 
Master,  having  joined  the  order  in  Pennsylvania  many 
years  prior  to  the  Civil  War.  He  had  filled  every  office  in 
a subordinate  and  Grand  Lodge.  This  knowledge  he  car- 
ried to  the  Grand  East  of  Mississippi,  and  under  his  wise 
administration  the  order  rapidly  sjiread  throughout  the 
State.  He  seized  every  opportunity  to  put  forward  the 
claims  of  his  people  for  those  rights  that  properly  belong 
to  all  mankind.  Indeed  these  principles  were  impressed 
upon  him  in  the  John  Brown  School  at  Chatham,  Canada, 
where  he  spent  much  of  his  time.  He  was  interested  in  all 
things  that  had  for  its  object  the  uplifting  of  his  race  in 
the  United  States.  In  Mississippi  he  renewed  his  efforts, 
especially  for  the  good  of  his  Masonic  Brethren,  by  estab- 
lishing many  subordinate  Lodges. 


282 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


In  1875  the  Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  Charles 
C.  Johnson,  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  granted  a warrant  to  nine  Royal  Arch  Masons  to 
constitute  and  work  a Eoyal  Arch  Lodge.  A convention 


was  held  May  21st,  1877,  and  a Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
was  established. 

In  1880  a Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  was  consti- 
tuted and  established.  Shortly  afterwards  four  other 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  283 

Commanderies  were  established  and  in  1886  a convention 
was  called  and  a Grand  Commandery  for  the  State  was  es- 
tablished. 

In  1885  several  Councils  of  the  Scottish  Eite  were  or- 
ganized by  the  authority  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction. 

It  is  a fact,  however,  that  nowhere  in  the  United  States 
does  Esoteric  Masonry  flourish  and  thrive  so  brilliantly  as 
in  the  great  State  of  Mississippi,  where  there  are  265  active 
bodies  of  Blue  Masonry,  with  a total  membership  of  5,418, 
as  shown  by  the  printed  report  for  1902  of  their  M.  W. 
Grand  Lodge,  and  their  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master 
gives  us  the  gratifying  assurance  in  his  latest  annual  ad- 
dress that  peace  and  harmony  prevail  throughout  the  Craft 
and  progress  and  Godly  living  have  been  greatly  advanced 
hy  the  inculcation  and  constant  reiteration  of  the  pure  and 
beautiful  principles  of  the  order. 

Their  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge,  organized  in  1875, 
as  before  mentioned,  is  named  T.  W.  Stringer  Grand  Lodge, 
in  honor  of  the  memory  of  Dr.  Thomas  W.  Stringer,  who 
was  its  organizer  and  who  served  as  its  first  Grand  Master, 
from  1875  to  the  date  of  his  much  lamented  death  in  1893. 
He  was  succeeded  by  M.  W.  G.  M.  McLeod,  who  served  one 
term  and  was  succeeded  in  turn  by  the  present  Grand  Mas- 
ter, Dr.  E.  W.  Lampton,  who  has  served  continuously  from 
1894  to  the  present,  pursuant  to  annual  re-elections.  As 
indicating  the  interest  manifested  by  the  Craft  in  this 
State  we  note  that  during  the  past  year  1,117  degrees 
were  conferred ; that  for  Grand  Lodge  dues  alone  there 
was  collected  during  the  same  period  the  magnificent  sum 
of  $1,281.65,  and  that  the  legitimate  transactions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  involved  the  receipt  of  $3,520.50,  and  the 
disbursement  of  $3,224.89. 

Highly  flattering  though  these  figures  are  and  proud  as 
the  Craft  may  rightly  be  of-such  a showing,  they  have  far 
grea^r  cause  for  felicitation  in  the  history  and  unexam- 
pled success  of  their  Masonic  Benefit  Association,  which, 
based  on  the  simplest  principles,  is,  without  doubt,  the 
greatest  instrument  for  good  ever  devised  by  our  people 
and  for  our  people.  We  are  sure  no  other  jurisdiction  of 
either  race  operates  any  insurance  system  similar  to  it, 


284  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

or  any  system  whatever  at  all  comparable  with  it  for  sim- 
plicity, for  its  inexpensive  character  or  for  the  substantial 
benefits  derived.  Just  a word  of  detail  touching  this 
association  : Its  plan  consists  merely  in  making  every  mem- 
ber of  a subordinate  Lodge  a member  of  the  Benefit  Asso- 
ciation. It  pays  $500  on  the  death  of  a member  to  his 
legal  representatives  and  its  assessment  at  each  death 
upon  each  surviving  member  is  the  sum  of  16  2-3  cents.  So 
firmly  is  it  established,  and  so  strong  is  its  financial  stand- 


Masonic  Orphans. 


ing,  that  while  at  each  death  the  benefit  is  promptly  paid, 
it  makes  no  effort  to  collect  its  assessments  from  the  sur- 
viving members  until  six  deaths  have  occurred,  and  then 
eac-h  surviving  member  is  given  a period  of  sixty  days  in 
which  to  pay  the  one  dollar  then  due. 

Could  any  proposition  be  simpler?  Of  course  the  nu- 
merical strength  of  the  Craft  is  the  potent  factor  in  the 
equation.  Then  the  Association  has  another  and  most  be- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  .America.  265 

nevolent  side.  After  the  death  of  a brother  Mason,  and 
under  proper  safeguards,  it  will  loan  to  the  widow  or 
children  a sufficient  sum  without,  interest  to  tide  over  any 
financial  embarrassment,  the  amount  to  be  repaid  on 
favorable  terms.  Of  course  we  must  not  forget  to  call 
attention  to  the  fine  Italian  hand  of  Grand  Master  Lamp- 
ton,  the  born  financier,  in  the  success  which  has  come  to  this 
healthy,  indeed,  we  should  say,  vigorous,  institution, 
though  the  detailed  work  is  confided  to  a thoroughly  com- 
petent Craftsman,  Brother  B.  D.  Littlejohn,  who  is  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Association,  and  who  has  held  that  office 
for  sixteen  years  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Craft. 

We  commend  the  highly  satisfactory  condition  of  the 
order  in  Mississippi  to  the  emulation  of  Craftsmen  through- 
out the  country  and  we  direct  special  attention  to  the 
beneficial  features  herein  explained  as  worthy  of  being 
closely  followed  whenever  practicable. 

The  Association  was  organized  at  Greenville.  Miss.,  the 
home  of  the  Grand  Master,  in  1880,  and  when  Dr.  Lamp- 
ton  assumed  the  reins  of  authority  he  found  it  in  debt  to 
the  legal  representatives  of  deceased  members  to  the  amount 
of  over  $50,000.  Every  dollar  of  this  debt  has  been  paid 
during  Dr.  Lampton’s  administration,  and  to-day  the 
organization  has  a clear  surplus  to  its  credit  of  over 
$11,500.  During  the  past  year  the  total  collections  have 
been  nearly  $80,000,  and  the  benefits  paid  have  exceeded 
$69,000.  Since  1880  there  have  been  collected  over 
$300,000. 

GRAND  OFFICERS  OF  GRAND  LODGE  OF  MISSISSIPPI 
FROM  ITS  ORGANIZATION,  1S75 — 1902. 

GRAND  MASTERS. 

1875-1893  Thos.  W.  Stringer,  1S93-1S94  M.  M.  MjcLeod, 
1S94-1902  E.  W.  Lampton. 


DEPUTY  GRAND  MASTERS. 


1875-1883  R.  W.  Fitzliugh, 
1877-1879  H.  W.  Nelson, 
1879  R.  H.  Wood, 
1880-1889  M.  M.  McLeod, 
1883-1S85  Jno.  D.  Webster, 


1884  F.  C.  Moore, 
1891-1893  F.  P.  Hill, 
1S93-1S94  E.  W.  Lampton, 
1804-1897  H.  B.  Brothers, 
1897-1902  J.  W.  Longstreet. 


286 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


1875-1877 

1877-1879 

1879- 1880 

1880- 1882 
1882-1884 
1884-1886 


1875- 1876 

1876- 1877 
1878-1880 
1880-1881 
1881-1882 
1882-1888 

1883- 1884 

1884- 1885 


SENIOR  GRAND  WARDENS. 


Robert  Williams, 

T.  M.  Broadwaters, 
A.  E.  Lightfoot, 

L.  W.  Overton, 

T.  Richardson, 

G.  W.  Gilliam, 


1886- 1887  J.  W.  Longstreet, 

1887- 1890  L.  C.  Reynolds, 

1890- 1891  F.  P.  Hill, 

1891- 1893  H.  B.  Brothers, 
1893-1895  John  Coleman, 
1895-1902  James  Hill. 


JUNIOR  GRAND  WARDENS. 


H.  W.  Nelson, 
Wilson  Woods, 

J.  P.  Sims, 

M.  M.  McLeod, 

J.  H.  Conway, 

E.  E.  Pettibone, 

F.  C.  Moore, 

G.  W.  Gilliam, 

1899-1902 


1885- 1886  J.  W.  Longstreet, 

1886- 1887  L.  C.  Reynolds, 

1887- 1891  H.  B.  Brothers, 
1891-1893  E.  W.  Lampton, 

1893- 1894  John  W.  Harris, 

1894- 1897  S.  Blevins, 

1897- 1898  G.  W.  Butler, 

1898- 1899  C.  H.  Carter, 

W.  A.  J.  Morgan. 


GRAND  TREASURERS. 


1875-1879  Claiborne  Green,  1881-1893  W.  H.  Allen, 
1879-1881  H.  W.  Jenkins,  ' 1893-1895  J.  E.  Ousley, 
1895-1902  T.  J.  Wilson. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES. 


1875- 1876  Robert  H.  Woods, 

1876- 1877  Robert  H.  Leslie, 

1877- 1879  A.  D.  Thompson, 
1879-1881  Theo.  H.  Green, 


1881-1882  B.  F.  Garrett, 
1S82-18S3  L.  A.  Bell. 
1883-1898  B.  F.  Garrett, 
1898-1902  E.  E.  Perkins. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  287 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  ARKANSAS 1S68. 

In  the  year  of  186-8  Ralph  G.  Gilmore,  G.  M.,  of  the 
African  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  granted  warrants 
to  organize  and  establish  three  Lodges  of  Master  Masons, 
working  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  At  a 
regular  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, held  December  27th.  1868,  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  charters  were  granted  for  other  Lodges  in  this 
State. 

A convention  was  held  at  Pine  Bluff,  March  30th,  1872, 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a Grand  Lodge  of  Masons 
for  the  State  of  Arkansas,  which  was  consummated  by 
electing  R.  W.  Bro.  William  H.  Gray,  M.  W.  G.  M.,  and 
other  Grand  Officers.  After  the  organizing  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  the  order  rapidly  spread  over  the  State.  There  are 
now  a large  number  of  chartered  Lodges  on  the  register 
of  this  Grand  Lodge.  In  1895  the  Grand  Lodge  and  its 
subordinates  unveiled  the  monument  erected  in  Evergreen 
Cemetery,  Helena,  in  honor  of  their  first  Grand  Master, 
W.  H.  Gray,  with  imposing  ceremonies.  In  this  Jurisdic- 
tion there  is  established  a Masonic  Relief  Association, 
which  cares  for  the  widows  and  orphans  of  Master  Masons ; 
$10,550.65  has  been  collected  for  the  purpose. 

The  following  is  a list  of  its  Grand  Masters — 1872  to 
1902: 

GRAND  MASTERS,  1872—1902. 

William  H.  Gray,  John  H.  Johnson,  J.  C.  Carbin,  Moses  A. 
Clark. 


238 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  ALABAMA — 1869. 

In  1869  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  chartered  Hiram 
Lodge,  located  at  Mobile,  and  seven  other  subordinate 
Lodges  in  this  State,  which  remained  under  the  Ohio  juris- 
diction until  September  24th,  1870.  A convention  of 
these  Lodges  was  held  and  a Grand  Lodge  organized  for  the 
State  by  the  election  of  a Grand  Master  and  other  grand 
officers.  There  wrere  several  Lodges  in  the  State  which 
were  organized  by  the  National  Grand  Lodge.  These 
Lodges  did  not,  however,  join  in  the  formation  of  the 
first  Grand  Lodge  which  was  regularly  established.  In 
1874,  four  years  after  establishing  a Grand  Lodge,  all  the 
Lodges  working  by  authority  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge, 
organized  another  Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  Masons. 
These  two  bodies  worked  along  until  1878,  when  they 
united  and  established  the  present  Grand  Lodge  of  Ala- 
bama, dating  their  proceedings  from  the  time  of  the  union. 
The  union  made  harmony  throughout  the  jurisdiction. 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  SINCE  ITS  OR- 
GANIZATION. 

1878—  G.  W.  Braxdall,  G.  M.,  J.  B.  Shaw,  S.  G.  W.,  A.  C.  Jack- 
son,  J.  S.  W„  I.  A.  Matthews,  G.  T„  W.  O.  Taylor.  G.  S. 

1879—  G.  W.  Braxdall,  G.  M.,  J.  C.  Simmons,  D.  G.  M..  J.  H. 
Diags,  S.  G.  IV..  Jno.  Smart,  J.  G.  W.,  I.  A.  Matthews.  G. 
T.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  G.  S.,  C.  L.  Harris,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1880—  G.  W.  Braxdall,  G.  M.,  Geo.  W.  Thomas,  D.  G.  M..  .T.  B. 
Shaw,  S.  G.  W.,  W.  H.  Council,  J.  G.  W.,  I.  A.  Matthews, 
G.  T.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  G.  S.,  W.  H.  McCants,  Chairman,  C. 
F C 

1881—  G.  W.  Braxdall,  G.  M„  Chas.  Blackledge,  D.  G.  M„  Thos. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  269 

H.  Sturgis,  S.  G.  W„  J.  H.  Green,  J.  G.  W.,  H.  J.  Hawkins. 
G.  T.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  G.  S.,  Chas.  L.  Harris,  Chairman, 
C.  F.  C. 

1S82— G.  W.  Braxdall.  G.  M.,  J.  H.  Green,  D.  G.  M„  C.  L.  W. 
Hamilton,  S.  G.  W.,  Chas.  Blackledge,  J.  S.  W.,  J.  C.  Sim- 
mons, G.  T.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  G.  S.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  Chairman, 
C.  F.  C. 

1883—  G.  W.  Braxdall,  G.  M..  Chas.  Blackledge,  D.  G.  M„  David 
Hall,  S.  G.  W.,  Jeremiah  Barnes,  J.  G.  W.,  W.  J.  Stevens, 
G.  T.,  W.  O.  Taylor,  G.  S.,  J.  H.  Green,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1884—  G.  W.  Braxdall.  G.  M„  David  Hall,  D.  G.  M„  G.  W. 

Moore,  S.  G.  W„  J.  Q.  A.  Wilhite,  J.  G.  W„  W.  J.  Stevens, 

G.  T.,  Chas.  Hendlev,  G.  S.,  IV.  H.  McCants,  Chairman, 
C.  F.  C. 

1885—  G.  W.  Braxdall.  G.  M„  J.  H.  Binford,  D.  G.  M„  R.  R. 

Mims,  S.  G.  W.,  J.  Q.  A.  Wilhite,  J.  G.  W.,  W.  J.  Stevens, 

G.  T„  Chas.  Hendley,  G.  S„  R.  R.  Mims,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

18S6 — R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M..  J.  Q.  A.  Wilhite,  D.  G.  M..  Jeremiah 
Barnes,  S.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Watkins,  J.  G.  W.,  W.  J.  Stevens, 
G.  T.,  Chas.  Hendley,  G.  S.,  H.  C.  Binford,  Chairman,  C. 

F.  C. 

1887—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M„  Alonzo  Mitchell,  D.  G.  M.,  J.  T. 
Gregory,  S.  G.  W..  A.  A.  Sensabaugh,  J.  G.  W„  W.  J. 
Stevens,  G.  T.,  Chas.  Hendley,  G.  S.,  J.  H.  Green,  Chair- 
man, C.  F.  C. 

1888 —  R.  R.  MJms,  G.  M..  Alonzo  Mitchell,  D.  G.  M..  Iverson 
Wiley,  S.  G.  W„  J.  T.  Gregory,  J.  G.  W„  J.  H.  Binord,  G. 
T.,  Chas.  Hendlev.  G.  S.,  C'has.  Hendlev,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1889—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  Iverson  Wilev,  D.  G.  M.,  H.  C.  Bin- 
ford, S.  G.  W-,  W.  G.  Alexander,  j.  G.  W„  J.  H.  Binford. 
J.  T.,  Chas.  Hendley.  G.  S.,  Chas.  Hendlev,  Chairman,  C.  F. 
C. 

1890—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M..  Iverson  Wiley,  D-  G.  M.,  N.  H.  Lane, 
S.  G.  W.,  A.  Roquemore,  J.  G.  W.,  J.  H.  Binford,  G.  T., 
W.  G.  Alexander.  G.  S.,  W.  G.  Alexander,  C.  F.  C. 

1891—  R.  R.  Mims.  G.  M.,  Sabe  Watlev,  D.  G.  M„  A.  .T.  Rogers, 
S.  G.  W.,  Stephen  White,  J.  G.  W„  .1.  H.  Binford,  G.  T„ 
W.  G.  Alexander  G.  S.,  W.  G.  Alexander,  Chairman.  C.  F.  C. 

1892 —  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  A.  J.  Rogers,  D.  G.  M.,  S.  R.  Lowrv, 
S.  G.  W.,  G.  W.  Sugg.  J.  G.  W„  William  Watkins,  G.  T„  W. 

G.  Alexander,  G.  S.,  W.  G.  Alexander,  Chairman.  C.  F.  C. 

1893—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  C.  E.  Miller,  D.  G.  M.,  P.  S.  Williams, 
S.  G.  W„  H.  C.  Harris,  J.  G.  W.,  William  Watkins,  G.  T., 
W.  G.  Alexander,  G.  S.,  W.  G.  Alexander,  Chairman,  C.  F. 
C. 

1894—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  C.  E.  Miller,  D.  G.  M„  T.  S.  Williams, 
S.  G.  W.,  H.  C.  Harris,  J.  G.  W.,  William  Watkins,  G.  T., 

H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S.,  H.  C.  Binford,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1895 —  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M..  Jeremiah  Barnes,  D.  G.  M.,  T.  S.  Wil- 
liams, S.  G.  W.,  Silas  Jones,  J.  G.  W..  Wm.  Watkins,  G.  T.. 
H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S.,  II.  C.  Binford,  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1896 —  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  Jeremiah  Barnes,  D.  G.  M.,  J.  L.  Sea- 


290 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


brooks,  S.  G.  W.,  Silas  Jones,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Watkins,  G.  T., 
H.  C.  Binford  G.  S.,  G.  W.  Shepherd,  Chairman  C.  F.  C. 

1897—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  G.  W.  Shepherd,  D.  G.  M„  A.  B. 
Jackson,  S.  G.  W.,  Henry  Boyd,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Watkins, 
G.  T.,  H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S.,  Jeremiah  Barnes,  Chairman,  C. 
F C 

1898—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M„  Rev.  G.  W.  Mitchell,  D.  G.  M„  W.  F. 
Roden,  S.  G.  W„  W.  C.  Bradford.  J.  G.  W„  Wm.  Watkins, 

G.  T.,  H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S.,  Jeremiah  Barnes,  Chairman, 
C.  F.  C. 

1899—  R.  R.  Mims,  G.  M„  Silas  Jones.  D.  G.  M„  W.  F.  Roden, 
S.  G.  W.,  L>.  W.  Daniels,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Watkins,  G.  T., 

H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S-,  Jeremiah  Barnes.  Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1900 —  ft.  R.  Mims,  G.  M.,  Dr.  S.  S.  H.  Washington,  D.  G.  M., 
W.  F.  Roden,  S.  G.  W„  J.  L.  Seabrooks,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm. 
Watkins,  G.  T.,  H.  C.  Binford,  G.  S.,  Jeremiah  Barnes, 
Chairman,  C.  F.  C. 

1901— 1902— H.  C.  Binford,  G.  M„  Jeremiah  Barnes,  D.  G.  M„ 
W.  F.  Roden,  S.  G.  W.,  John  L.  Seabrooks,  J.  G.  W.,  H. 
C.  Harris,  G.  T.,  J.  C.  Lefworth,  G.  S. 

Has  chartered  many  Lodges  and  has  a large  number  of 
Master  Masons  on  its  register.  The  Endowment  Bureau 
of  this  jurisdiction  has  annual  receipts  amounting  to 
$2,555.45,  and  annual  expenditures  of  $900  to  the  widows 
and  orphans.  There  are  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
Commanderies  of  Knights  Templars,  Scottish  Rite,  and 
grand  governing  bodies  of  the  same. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  2 9t 


CHAPTER  XL. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  IOWA — 1870. 


The  first  three  Lodges  in  this  State  were  established  and 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  in  1870.  A con- 
vention of  all  the  Lodges  was  called  to  meet  at  Marshall- 
town August  9th,  1887,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a 
Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  for  the  State,  which  was  accom- 
plished by  electing  R.  W.  Brother  H.  G.  Cleggett,  M.  W. 
G.  M.  and  other  grand  officers.  Since  organization  it  has 
chartered  eighteen  subordinate  Lodges,  held  its  regular 
meetings  and  is  in  correspondence  with  other  Masonic 
Grand  Lodges.  There  are  Royal  Arch  Chapters  and  Com- 
manderies  of  Knights  Templars  established  in  this  State. 
The  grand  officers  are  as  follows : 

1887  G.  H.  Cleggett,  G.  M.,  J.  Sims,  D.  G.  M.,  W.  H.  Jones, 

S.  G.  W„  E.  C.  Thomas,  J.  G.  W„  D.  W.  Anderson,  G. 

T. ,  J.  E.  Gillam,  G.  S. 

1888  J.  K.  Hilyard,  G.  M.,  C.  S.  Gomer,  D.  G.  M.,  J.  S.  Martin, 
S.  G.  W.,  E.  T.  Banks,  J.  G.  W.,  S.  Fox,  G.  T.,  J.  E.  Gillam, 

G.  S. 

1889  J.  E.  Gillam,  G.  M.,  G.  W.  Black,  D.  G.  M„  J.  H. 
Breeden,  S.  G.  W.,  E.  T.  Banks,  J.  G.  W.,  S.  Fox,  G.  T.,  G. 

H.  Cleggett,  G.  S. 

1890  J.  E.  Gillam.  G.  M.,  J.  S.  Martin,  D.  G.  M.,  E.  T.  Banks, 
S.  G.  W„  N.  B.  Nailen,  J.  G.  W.,  J.  W.  Crawford.  G.  T., 
A.  A.  Bland,  G.  S. 

1891  J.  E.  Gillam,  G.  M'„  E.  T.  Banks,  D.  G.  M„  D.  Ware, 
S.  G.  W„  W.  A.  Searcy,  J.  G.  W.,  D.  W.  Anderson,  G.  T., 
J.  D.  Reeler,  G.  S. 

1892  J.  D.  Reeler,  G.  M.,  E.  C.  Thomas,  D.  G.  M„  Geo.  Bap- 
tiste, S.  G.  W.,  Jas.  Woodfork,  J.  G.  W.,  J.  E.  Gillam,  G.  T., 
M.  N.  Bell,  G.  S. 

1893  J.  D.  Reeler,  G.  M.,  Jas.  Woodfork,  D.  G.  M.,  Geo.  W. 
Baptist,  J.  G.  W.,  W.  H.  Milligan,  G.  T.,  G.  H.  Cleggett, 

G.  S. 


292 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

1894  J.  D.  Reeler,  G.  M.,  Jas.  Higgins,  D.  G.  M.,  Win.  Fields, 
S.  G.  W.,  John  Wiliams,  J.  G.  W.,  A.  A.  Bland,  G.  T„  G.  H. 
Cleggett,  G.  S. 

1895  A.  A.  Bland,  G.  Mi.,  Wm.  Field,  D.  G.  M.,  Jas.  Washing- 
ton, S.  G.  W.,  W.  H.  .Jones,  J.  G.  W.,  T.  A.  Coleman, 

G.  T.  G.  H.  Cleggett,  G.  S. 

1896  A.  A.  Bland,  G.  M.,  Jas.  Washington,  D.  G.  M.,  .T.  L.  Suter, 

S.  G.  W.,  T.  A.  Coleman,  J.  G.  W..  E.  T.  Banks,  G.  T„  W. 

H.  London,  G.  S. 

1897  Jas.  Washington,  G.  M.,  T.  L.  Brown,  D.  G.  M.,  T.  A. 
Coleman,  S.  G.  W.,  Robt.  Johnson,  J.  G.  W.,  E.  T.  Banks, 
G.  T„  A.  A.  Bland,  G.  S. 

1898  J.  L.  Brown,  G.  M.,  Wm.  Coalson,  D.  G.  M.,  Robt.  John- 
son, S.  G.  W„  Wm.  Toler,  J.  G.  W„  N.  B.  Nailon,  G.  T„ 
A.  A.  Bland,  G.  S. 

1899  T.  L.  Brown,  G.  M.,  E.  L.  Shaw,  D.  G.  M.,  J.  F.  Blag- 
burn,  S.  G.  W.,  Calvin  Wheeler,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Coalson,  G. 
T„  A.  A.  Bland.  G.  S. 

1900  J.  L.  Brown,  G.  M.,  Robt.  Johnson,  D.  G.  M„  Calvin 
Wheeler,  S.  G.  W.,  J.  F.  Blagburn,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Coalson, 
G.  T„  A.  A.  Bland,  G.  Sect. 

1901  J.  L.  Brown,  G.  M„  Robt.  .Johnson,  D.  G.  M.,  F.  J.  Har- 
ris, S.  G.  W„  W.  H.  Milligan,  J.  G.  W.,  Wm.  Coalson,  G. 

T. ,  J.  F.  Blagburn,  G.  S. 

M.  W.  G.  M.  C.  K.  Peck,  of  Iowa  (white),  addressing  a 
large  number  of  Masons  at  Yankton,  May  20th,  1867,  used 
so  much  good  sense  and  expressed  himself  so  manfully  that 
the  whole  is  herewith  republished  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Craft : 

“It  needs  no  comment.  The  voices  of  universal  Ma- 
sonry will  unite  in  pronouncing  it  perfect  and  complete. 
It  comprises  the  basis  of  thought  and  the  leaven  of  Ma- 
sonic life.  To  wit: 

“The  new  issue  being  brought  forward  for  consideration, 
consequent  upon  the  glorious  triumph  of  the  government  in 
the  recent  sanguinary  conflict,  is  bringing  before  us,  as 
Masons,  a new  problem  and  one  of  great  importance,  for 
our  decision.  The  consideration  of  the  new  problem  in 
which  the  colored  people  have  been  placed,  and  the  recog- 
nition of  the  constitutional  declaration  now  being  forced 
upon  us  as  a nation,  that  all  men  are  created  free  and  equal. 
Does  it  not  become  us  Masons  to  weigh  well  our  relation 
and  duty  towards  them  as  members  of  the  same  order  ? 
Heretofore  they  have  seldom  been  persons  who  have  had 


Among  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  2V3 

any  trade,  estate,  office,  occupation  or  visible  means  of 
acquiring  an  honest  livelihood,  and  working  in  his  Craft,  as 
becomes  the  members  of  this  ancient  and  honorable  fra- 
ternity who  were  not  only  able  to  earn  what  was  sufficient 
for  themselves  and  families  but  likewise  something  to  spare 
for  works  of  charity,  and  for  supporting  the  ancient 
grandeur  and  dignity  of  the  Royal  Craft,  eating  no  man’s 
bread  for  nought.  Now,  all  this  is  being  changed  and 
their  new/  relation  as  freemen,  and  the  educational  facil- 
ities afforded  them,  are  elevating  them  from  their  illiter- 
ate and  debased  condition.  It  is  a difficult  and  unpopular 
question,  but  shall  we  as  Masonic  representatives  of  a 
State  that  stood  first  and  foremost  in  the  defense  of  our 
government  and  its  flag  that  ‘bears  the  stripes  and  stars/ 
shrink  from  the  consideration  of  it  ? The  time  is  in  the 
recollection  of  all  of  us,  when  it  was  suicide,  both  profes- 
sional and  social,  for  a man  to  openly  condemn  slavery. 
The  consideration  of  this  important  question,  now  staring 
us  in  the  face,  may,  at  the  present  time,  subject  us,  as 
Masons,  to  derision  and  abuse,  but  shall  we,  on  this  ac- 
count, hesitate  to  grapple  with  it?  They  already  have 
Lodges  in  active  operation  in  our  State.  Were  we  in  dis- 
tress and  in  need  of  fraternal  assistance,  would  we  not  be 
glad  to  avail  ourselves  of  such  as  they  might  render? 
Cannot  that  first  preparation  for  a true  Masonic  life  be  as 
wrell  made  in  a heart  that  beats  under  a darker  skin  than 
our  own?  Lodges  in  other  jurisdictions  are  making  Ma- 
sons of  Indians.  Do  recent  developments  indicate  that 
they  are  so  much  more  elevated  in  moral  habits  and  Chris- 
tianity than  the  negro  race,  as  to  entitle  them  to  this 
preference,  and  that  they  will  make  more  worthy  and  cred- 
itable members  of  our  order.  ‘Duty  is  the  one  great  law  of 
Masonry’  and  ‘is  with  us  always  inflexible  as  fate.’  ” 

“The  issues  are  with  God.  to  do 
Of  right  belongs  to  us; 

May  we  be  ever  just  and  true. 

For  nations  flourish  thus.” 


The  Freemason,  July  1,  1867,  p.  102. 


294 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  TEXAS 1872. 


The  first  three  Lodges  were  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Kansas  in  1872,  Brother  D.  W.  Matthews  con- 
ferring the  degrees.  On  August  19th,  1875,  a convention 
was  held  in  the  city  of  Galveston  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State.  This  was  ac- 
complished by  the  election  of  Brother  N.  W.  Cuney  M.  W. 
G.  M.  and  other  grand  officers.  Since  this  the  order  has 
rapidly  spread  all  over  the  State.  The  other  departments 
of  Masonry  were  established  in  1875,  viz. : Knights  Tem- 

plars, Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Councils  of  Scottish  Rite. 
The  Craft  owns  a large  amount  of  propert}',  estimated  at 
over  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 


GRAND  MASTERS,  1875—1902. 


N.  W.  Cuney, 

R.  Allen. 

J.  Janies, 

Bishop  A.  Grant, 
C.  C.  Dean, 


R.  II.  B rati  ley, 

J.  H.  Armstrong1, 
J.  IV.  Madison, 

W.  L.  Kinabrough, 
J.  W.  McKinney. 


GRAND  SECRETARIES.  1S75— 1902. 


John  De  Bruhl, 
H.  L.  Scott, 


A H.  Terrell, 
W.  H.  Mitchell, 


M.  M.  Donald. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  OKLAHOMA — 1875. 

The  first  three  Lodges  were  chartered  January  17th, 
1875,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado.  In  1893  a gen- 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  295 

eral  assembly  of  the  Craft  was  held  at  Masonic  Hall,  Guth- 
rie, for  the  purjiose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for 
Oklahoma  and  the  Indian  Territory.  This  was  con- 
summated by  the  election  of  Brother  William  H.  Cole, 
Grand  Master  and  other  grand  officers.  Since  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Grand  Lodge  many  subordinate  Lodges  have 
been  chartered.  The  title  of  the  Grand  Lodge  is  St.  John’s 
Grand  Lodge  of  F.  A.  A.  M.,  for  Oklahoma  and  Indian 
Territory.  M.  W.  Brother  L.  A.  Bell  has  served  continu- 
ously for  seven  years  and  is  now  the  present  Grand  Master. 
He  has  worked  diligently  to  establish  the  order  in  his  vicin- 
ity and  his  efforts  seem  to  be  crowned  with  success. 

GRAND  MASTERS,  1893—1902. 

Brother  Win.  H.  Cole,  Brother  L.  A.  Bell. 

GRAND  SECRETARY,  1893—1902. 

Brother  R.  E.  Stewart. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  WEST  VIRGINIA — 1877. 

The  first  Lodge  in  West  Virginia  was  Star  Lodge,  Ho. 
1,  organized  March  21st,  1877,  warranted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  and  located  at  Charlestown.  Star 
Lodge  organized  Mount  Pisgah  Lodge,  No.  3,  and  Rising 
Sun,  No.  5,  October  1st,  1880.  The  Lodges  were  duly 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  and  on  the  22d 
of  September,  1881,  a convention  was  held  at  Martinsburg 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the 
State.  The  grand  officers  were  duly  elected  and  public 
installation  wes  held  September  23d,  1881,  at  Charles- 
town. The  grand  officers  were  installed  by  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  Maryland,  since  which  time  the  Grand  Lodge  has 
warranted  several  subordinate  Lodges  in  the  State. 

A Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  was  organized  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1883.  Title:  “Potomac  Chapter,  No.  19,” 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. Three  other  Chapters  have  been  organized  since  that 
time  and  warranted  by  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Ohio.  Sev- 
erals  Councils  of  the  Scottish  Rite  were  organized  by  the 
Grand  Council  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 


296 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


FREEMASONRY  IN  WISCONSIN — 1878. 

The  first  Lodge  in  Wisconsin  was  constituted  and  char- 
tered October  10th,  1878,  under  the  title  of  William  H. 
Brown  Lodge,  No.  25,  F.  A.  A.  M.  It  was.  chartered  by 
the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  and  was 
located  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee.  This  Lodge  is  now 
known  as  Widow’s  Son  Lodge,  No.  25.  The  second  Lodge 
in  this  State  is  Triangle  Lodge,  No.  53,  located  in  West 
Superior,  and  was  chartered  by  the  same  grand  body. 
There  is  also  a Commandery  of  Knights  Templars,  a Chap- 
ter of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Scottish  Rite  Councils, 
organized  under  the  constitution  of  1786,  and  working 
under  the  Supreme  Council  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspec-tors- 
General,  33°,  for  the  Western  and  Northern  Jurisdiction. 

There  is  no  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  this  State. 
The  Craft  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  M.  W.  G.  L.  of 
of  F.  A.  A.  M.  of  the  State  of  Illinois  and  jurisdiction. 
W.  M.,  J.  J.  Miles;  Secretary,  C.  E.  Dickson. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  OREGON — 1884. 

Enterprise  Lodge,  No.  47,  was  the  first  Lodge  organ- 
ized in  this  State  and  located  at  Portland.  It  was  char- 
tered by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois.  No  Grand  Lodge 
has  ever  been  organized.  William  Wheeler.  W.  M. 

(The  National  Grand  Lodge  chartered  a Lodge  in  this 
State  as  early  as  1869,  hut  it  only  held  together  a few 
years.) 


FREEMASONRY  IN  WASHINGTON — 1884. 


Franklin  Lodge,  No.  49,  was  the  first  Lodge  organized 
in  this  State  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois.  Another 
Lodge  has  since  been  organized  by  the  same  body  at  Se- 
attle. No  Grand  Lodge  has  been  formed  in  the  State.  A. 
W.  Ross,  W.  M. 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  297 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN'  MONTANA — 1885. 

In  the  year  1885  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado  granted  a 
warrant  to  a constitutional  number  of  Master  Masons,  to 
constitute  and  establish  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  under 
the  title  of  Silver  City  Lodge,  Ho.  9,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  to  be 
located  at  Butte.  The  Lodge  was  organized  October  11th, 
A.  D.  1885,  A.  L.  5885.  The  first  officers  were  J.  W. 
Thompson,  W.  M. ; Samuel  Jones,  S.  W. ; Silas  Fagan,  J. 
W.  Since  the  organization  of  this  body  there  may  be 
found  upon  the  register  the  names  of  the  best  colored 
citizens  of  Butte.  Plans  are  being  prepared  for  the 
erection  of  a Masonic  Temple,  which  will  be  the  first  in  the 
State.  Brother  Samuel  Jones,  W.  M.,  and  Charles  M. 
Watts,  Secretary. 

July  17th.  1891,  M.  W.  G.  M.  H.  H.  Powers  of  Colo- 
rado established  Byrd  Lodge,  Ho.  11,  located  at  Helena. 
This  Lodge  is  in  active  condition  and  is  increasing  in  mem- 
bership. Henry  Baker,  W.  M.,  and  D.  0.  Jackson,  Sec- 
retary. 

In  1894  P.  J.  Barnard,  G.  M.,  granted  a dispensation  to 
Brother  George  H.  Williams,  Charles  Tawson,  John  Willis, 
John  H.  Redd  and  Peter  T.  Smith  to  organize  and  establish 
a Lodge  of  Master  Masons,  under  the  title  of  Sunset 
Lodge,  Ho.  14.  On  May  13th,  1894,  it  was  established  by 
D.  G.  M.  Charles  Cushingberry  of  Butte.  The  officers 
were  installed  under  a charter  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Colorado,  and  located  at  Great  Falls,  with  George  Wil- 
liams, G.  M.  On  the  register  of  this  Lodge  are  the  names 
of  nineteen  Master  Masons.  Lee  Mills,  W.  M.,  and  F.  T. 
Griffin,  Secretary. 


298  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

In  1897,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  at  its  session,  held 
August  18th,  1896,  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  on  the  rec- 
ommendation of  its  G.  M.,  J.  H.  Pelham,  a charter  was 
granted  to  a constitutional  number  of  Master  Masons  to 
organize  and  establish  a Lodge  under  the  title  of  Fletcher 
Lodge,  No.  101,  to  be  located 'in  Helena,  Mont.,  and  work- 
ing under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri. 
The  Lodge  was  established  June  25th,  1897.  There  have 
also  been  established  a Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Mount  Hebron 
Ladies’  Court,  under  the  patronage  of  Byrd  Lodge,  and 
Eastern  Star  Chapter  under  the  patronage  of  R.  J. 
Fletcher  Lodge,  and.  Mrs.  R.  J.  Alexander,  Grand  Deputy 
Matron. 

On  December  26th,  1896,  Acme  Temple  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  was  organized  at  Helena,  Mont.  Brother  G.  W. 
Alexander  writes  under  date  of  May  8th,  1902 : “While 

the  Craft  is  prosperous,  we  have  many  drawbacks.  The 
continual  changes  going  on  among  the  people,  caused  by 
the  emigration  spirit,  take  away  many  of  the  Craftsmen. 
This  is  especially  noticed  when  there  is  a depression  of 
business.  They  fold  their  tents  like  Arabs  and  silently 
steal  away.  By  this  j'ou  can  readily  see  that  our  members 
may  be  found  scattered  over  the  Northwest.  However, 
there  is  a devotion  to  the  order  that  is  highly  commend- 
able. The  members  realize  that  the  badge  of  a Mason  car- 
ries with  it  character  and  respectability.  Hence,  they 
keep  in  touch  with  their  Lodges  wherever  they  go.  None 
but  the  very  best  men  are  accepted  in  our  Lodges.” 

FREEMASONRY  IN  NEW  MEXICO — 1885. 

In  1885  the  first  Masonic  Lodge  was  constituted  under 
the  title  of  Montezuma  Lodge,  No.  8.  It  existed  only  a 
few  years  on  account  of  its  members  moving  out  of  the 
Territory. 

The  second  warrant  was  granted  September  12th,  1893, 
to  a constitutional  number  of  Masons  residing  at  Albu- 
querque, to  work  a Masters’  Lodge  under  the  title  of 
Eureka  Lodge,  No.  13.  C.  A.  Bruce,  W.  M. ; H.  Bramlett, 
S.  W. ; C.  Pullam,  J.  W.,  and  W.  V.  Jasper.  Secretary. 

Seven  years  later,  June  2d,  1900,  Bright  Star  Lodge  was 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  299 

organized  and  constituted  by  the  same  authority.  There 
are  also  regularly  established  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  Scot- 
tish Rite,  Mystic  Shriners,  and  Chapters  for  ladies. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  NEVADA — 1885. 

There  were  two  Lodges  established  in  this  State  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  California  in  1885.  They  have  no  Grand 
Lodge  as  yet. 


/ 


300 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTEE  XLIII. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  MINNESOTA — 1888. 

In  1888  the  first  three  Lodges  of  this  State  were  consti- 
tuted and  chartered  by  the. authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Iowa.  On  the  16th  day  of  August,  189-4,  a general  assem- 
bly of  the  Craft  was  held  at  Masonic  Hall,  Minneapolis,  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a Grand  Lodge  for  the  State, 
which  was  accomplished  by  the  election  of  E.  IV.  Brother 
T.  H.  Lyles,  G.  M.,  and  other  grand  officers.  This  Grand 
Lodge  has  held  its  regular  communications  since  organiza- 
tion, has  chartered  seven  subordinate  Lodges  and  is  in  fra- 
ternal correspondence  with  the  Masonic  world. 

PAST  GRAND  MASTERS,  1894—1902. 


T.  H.  Lyles  1894—1897 

H.  B.  Houston  1897—1899 

J.  L.  Neal 1899—1902 

PAST  GRAND  SECRETARIES,  1894—1902. 

Wm.  A.  Hilyard  1894— 1S95 

George  Duckett  1895 — 1897 

James  Woodfork  1897 — 1S98 

Wm.  R.  Morris  1898—1902 


FREEMASONRY  IN  UTAH — 1890. 

In  1890  G.  M.  Id.  H.  Powers  further  extended  the  Ma- 
sonic jurisdiction  of  Colorado  by  establishing  a Lodge  at 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  under  the  title  of  High  Marine 
Lodge,  No.  12,  F.  A.  A.  M.  This  Lodge  has  a large  mem- 
bership, composed  of  the  best  citizens  of  Salt  Labe  City. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  301 


W.  H.  Powell,  W.  l\r. ; W.  H.  Baker,  S.  W. ; T.  R.  Steele, 
J.  W. ; A.  L.  Howell,  Secretary. 

In  1898  the  Grand  Lodge-  of  Missouri,  in  order  that 
Colorado  should  not  have  things  her  own  way  in  this  open 
field,  established  another  Lodge  at  Salt  Lake  City  under 
the  title  of  St.  Mark  Lodge,  No.  100.  Hence  this  field  is 


William  It.  Morris, 

Grand  Secretary  of  Grai  d Lodge  of  Minnesota. 

divided  between  the  two.  The  Lodges  already  chartered, 
however,  came  together  and  organized  a Grand  Lodge  for 
the  State. 

FREEMASONRY  IN  WYOMING 1898. 

In  1898  G.  M.  T.  J.  Riley  further  extended  the  Masonic 
jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado  by  taking  Wy- 
oming. He  granted  a dispensation  to  a constitutional 


302 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


number  of  Master  Masons  residing  at  Cheyenne  to  organize 
and  establish  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  under  the  title  of 
Western  Star  Lodge,  No.  6,  F.  A.  A.  M.,  T.  W.  Ashford, 
W.  M. ; W.  E.  Benjamin,  S.  W. ; Edward  Noble,  J.  W. ; and 
other  officers. 

A year  later,  November  25th,  1899,  Keystone  Lodge,  No. 
22,  was  organized  and  chartered.  J.  A.  Williams,  W.  M. ; 
J.  H.  Brown,  S.  W. ; A.  E.  Cooper,  J.  W. ; and  other  officers. 


John  L.  Neal, 

Grand  Master  of  Minnesota. 


FREEMASONRY  IN  ARIZONA — 1899. 

On  November  27th,  1899,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado 
granted  a warrant  to  twenty  Master  Masons  residing  at 
Tucson  to  establish  a Lodge.  This  Lodge  is  known  as 
Alpha  Lodge,  No.  16.  R.  H.  Green,  W.  M. ; J.  D.  Johnson, 
S.  W. ; S.  N.  Ledille,  J.  W. 

January  25th,  1900,  Maricopa  Lodge,  No.  17,  was  estab- 
lished at  Phoenix,  and  chartered  by  the  same  authority.  G. 
W.  Caldwell,  W.  M. ; Fred.  Gardner,  S.  W. ; Allen  Smith, 
J.  W. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  303 

Oil  the  same  date  a charter  was  granted  to  establish  Com- 
pas  Lodge,  No.  18,  at.  Clifton.  J.  H.  Hayes,  W.  M. ; 
Clarence  Morgan,  S.  W. ; George  W.  Gravely,  J.  W. ; and 
thirteen  other  members. 

June  22d,  1900,  a warrant  was  issued  to  nine  Master 
Masons  to  work  a Lodge  of  Master  Masons  at  Prescott, 
under  the  title  of  Delta  Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.  F.  D.  Mc- 
Clanahan,  W.  M. ; Willis  Hunter,  S.  W. ; P.  A.  McClana- 
han,  J.  W. ; S.  M.  Watson,  Secretary. 

There  are  also  Royal  Arch  Chapters,  Scottish  Rite  and 
Ladies’  Courts,  regularly  organized. 


The  following  table  shows  the  organization  of  the  first 
lodge  in  each  State  and  Territory,  number  of  lodges,  mem- 
bership (master  masons),  organization  of  Grand  Lodges, 
cash  on  hand,  amount  expended  for  charity,  and  property 
owned  by  the  Craft  up  to  the  close  of  December  31st,  1901 : 


304  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  305 


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306 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

MASONRY — ITS  DIVISIONS  AND  GRADATIONS — ITS  POWERS, 
RESTRICTIONS  AND  RELATIONS. 

In  attempting  to  set  before  you  the  divisions  of  Masonic 
degrees,  their  government  and  relationship  to  each  other, 
and  in  entering  upon  this  subject,  I 'do  so  for  the  purpose 
of  inspiring  those  who  read  this  and  other  useful  and  nec- 
essary publications,  wherein  lie  the  alpha  and  omega  of 
Masonic  information. 

A Masonic  Grand  Lodge  is  a sovereign  in  the  State  in 
which  it  is  organized.  Then  we  are  forced  to  subdivide  this 
division  into  departments. 

The  first  department,  sometimes  called  the  “Blue 
Lodge,”  is  the  Master  Masons’  Lodge.  It  is  composed  of 
the  first  three  degrees  known  to  Masons  as  E.  A.,  F.  C.  and 
M.  M.  The  Lodges  in  this  department  acquire  their 
authority  from  a body  styled  Grand  Lodge,  which  is 
composed  of  a Grand  Master.  Deputy  Grand  Master,  War- 
dens and  other  officers  of  its  own  election,  the  Masters, 
Wardens,  P.  G.  Officers  and  Past  Masters  of  its  con- 
stituent Lodges.  The  Grand  Lodge  is  invested  with  three 
inherent  functions  or  powers  over  its  constituted  Lodges, 
namely,  legislative,  judicial  and  executive — legislative,  to 
make  the  laws  for  their  government ; judicial,  to  apply 
said  laws,  and  executive  power,  to  enforce  the  laws  which  it 
has  made  and  applied.  The  first  two  named  functions  or 
powers — legislative  and  judicial — of  the  Grand  Lodge  can 
only  be  exercised  by  that  body.  It  cannot  delegate  these 
powers  to  any  man  or  committee.  When  the  Grand  Lodge 
has  in  its  legislative  capacity  made  a law  and  in  its  judicial 
capacity  having  applied  the  said  law,  then  it  proceeds  to 
execute,  hence  in  the  discharge  of  its  executive  function  it 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  307 

requires  the  Grand  Master,  in  whom  this  executive  func- 
tion is  vested  during  recess,  or  interim  between  grand 
sessions. 

There  are  Masons  who  have  accepted  false  teachings  to 
the  extent  to  believe  that  the  Grand  Master  is  all-powerful, 
a sort  of  “He  can  destroy,  he  can  defend"’  mysterious  power, 
that  his  word  is  law,  regardless  of  what  is  written  in  the 
book  of  law.  The  Grand  Master  has  certain  prerogatives, 
which  customs  from  time  immemorial  have  given  him  and 
which  are  clearly  set  forth  in  Masonic  jurisprudence,  but  to 
set  at  nought  the  landmarks  of  Masonry  and  the  laws  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  over  which  he  has  the  honor  to  preside 
are  not  vouchsafed  him  as  prerogatives.  The  assump- 
tion of  these  functions  by  Grand  Master,  Grand  High 
Priest,  Grand  Commander,  or  any  one  else,  is  a violation  of 
the  landmarks  and  regulations  of  Masonry,  and  deserves 
condemnation.  If  one  infraction  is  tolerated,  others  will 
follow.  The  simple  elevation  to  office  does  not  correct 
the  errors  of  human  judgment,  nor  offset  the  foibles  of  a 
man. 

The  second  department  is  the  Eoyal  Arch  Chapter. 
It  has  authority  over  the  four  degrees  known  to  Masons 
as  M.  M.,  P.  M.,  M.  E.  M.,  and  the  Holy  Eoyal  Arch.  It 
is  governed  by  a Grand  Chapter,  which  is  composed  of  a 
Grand  High  Priest,  Grand  Scribe  and  other  officers,  the 
High  Priests,  Kings  and  Scribes  and  Past  High  Priests 
of  constituent  Chapters.  The  Grand  Chapter  holds  the 
same  authority  over  the  relation  to  its  constituent  Chap- 
ters as  the  Grand  Lodge  holds  over  its  subordinate  Lodges. 
The  Grand  High  Priest  is  invested  with  executive  power, 
but  he  must  confine  his  work  to  those  who  are  Eoyal  Arch 
Masons. 

The  third  department  is  the  Valiant  and  Magnanimous 
Order  of  Knights  Malta.  It  is  governed  by  a Grand 
Commandery,  wffiich  is  composed  of  a Grand  Commander, 
Deputy  Grand  Captain-General,  and  Past  Commanders 
of  its  constituent  Commanderies.  The  Grand  Commandery 
holds  the  same  relation  with  its  constituent  Commanderies 
as  the  Grand  Chapter  does  over  its  subordinates.  The 
Grand  Commander  holds,  the  same  prerogatives  as  the 
Grand  High  Priest, 


308 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


This  completes  the  organization,  so  far  as  degrees  and 
departments  are  concerned,  relative  to  Free  and  Accepted 
Masonry. 


STATIONS  OF  THE  GRAND  OFFICERS  IN  THE  GRAND 

LODGE. 

The  M.  W.  Grand  Master: 

In  the  east  at  the  head  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master: 

In  the  east  next  to  and  left  of  the  Grand  Master. 

The  R.  W.  Senior  Grand  Warden: 

In  the  west. 

The  R.  W.  Junior  Grand  Warden: 

In  the  south. 

The  R.  W.  Past  Grand  Masters: 

In  the  east  at  the  right  of  the  Grand  Master. 

The  R.  W.  Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters: 

In  the  east  at  the  right  of  the  Past  Grand  Masters. 

The  R.  W.  Past  Grand  Wardens: 

In  the  east  at  the  right  of  the  Past  Deputy  Grand 
Masters. 

The  R.  W.  Grand  Treasurer: 

On  the  right  in  front  of  the  Grand  Master. 

Tho  R.  W.  Grand  Secretary: 

On  the  left  in  front  of  the  Grand  Master. 

The  W.  Grand  Chaplain: 

In  the  east  in  front  of  the  Grand  Master. 

The  W.  Grand  Marshal: 

Upon  the  left  of  the  Grand  Master  in  front  of  the 
Grand  Secretary. 

The  W.  Grand  Lecturer: 

On  the  right  of  the  Senior  Grand  Deacon. 

The  W.  Senior  Grand  Deacon: 

Upon  the  right  of  the  Grand  Master  in  front  of  the 
Grand  Treasurer. 

The  W.  Junior  Grand  Deacon: 

In  the  west,  at  the  right  of  the  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

The  W.  Grand  Stewards,  and  Grand  Masters  of  Ceremonies: 

In  the  south,  two  upon  the  right  and  two  upon  the 
left  of  the  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

The  W.  Grand  Sword  Bearer: 

At  the  left  of  the  Grand  Marshal. 

The  W.  Grand  Standard  Bearer: 

At  the  left  of  the  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

The  W.  Grand  Pursuivants: 

Near  the  door  of  entrance  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
whose  duty  it  is  to  receive  all  reports  from  the 
Grand  Tiler  to  announce  the  names  and  Masonic 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  309 

rank  of  all  who  desire  admission,  and  to  see  that 
none  enter  without  wearing  their  appropriate  deco- 
rations. 

Brother  Grand  Organist: 

At  the  organ. 

Brother  Grand  Tiler: 

Outside  of  the  entrance  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

- 

Honors  Due  Past  Officers. — The  Grand  Lodge  of 
England,  the  oldest  organized  body  of  Masons  on  the  globe, 
and  must  be  regarded  as  the  highest  authority  known  to 
Masonry,  did,  on  the  25th  day  of  March,  1722,  establish 
certain  rules  of  recognizing  the  paying  honors  to  distin- 
guished members  who  have  been  elevated  to  high  positions 
in  the  Craft.  These  ceremonies  and  customs  of  the  Craft, 
from  age  to  age,  have  been,  and  are  unwritten  usages  and 
customs,  and  universally  accepted  and  practiced  from  the 
immemorial  by  the  Masonic  family  the  world  over. 

The  officers  are  divided  into  two  classes,  and  are  known 
as  Present  and  Past  Officers.  Present  Officers  are  those 
who  are  serving  in  the  several  stations  to  which  they 
have  been  elected  or  appointed.  Past  Officers  are  those 
who  have  served  out  the  term  for  which  they  were  elected 
or  appointed. 

It  is  a duty  imposed  upon  each  elective  officer  by  ancient 
customs  and  laws,  when  he  desires  to  enter  a Lodge,  to 
give  his  name,  rank  and  Lodge  of  which  he  is  a member. 

Reception  of  Members. — The  reception  of  members 
with  honors  due  to  their  rank  is  an  ancient  custom  of  the 
fraternity,  which  should  not  be  allowed  to  fall  into  disuse. 
It  is  an  act  of  grave  discourtesy  to  a visiting  officer  to 
omit  his  formal  reception  by  the  Lodge. 

1.  Grand  Lodge. — When  a visit  from  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
announced,  the  Master  having  opened  the  Lodge  on  the 
third  degree,  stations  the  Deacons  and  Stewards  at  the  sides 
of  the  door  with  their  rods  crossed,  and  arranges  the  breth- 
ren in  lines  from  the  door  to  the  c-hair,  facing  inwards. 
He -then  sends  a Past  Master  to  escort  the  Grand  Lodge, 
which  enters  in  procession,  the  Grand  Tiler,  however,  re- 
maining at  the  door.  The  Grand  Lodge  proceeds  up  to  the 
East,  and  opens  to  the  right  and  left,  when  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter passes  through  and  ascends  the  Masters’  platform,  and 


310 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


the  other  grand  officers  pass  to  the  right  of  the  Master. 
The  Master  receives  the  Grand  Master  according  to  ancient 
usage,  with  the  private  grand  honors  of  Masonry,  and  re- 
signs to  him  the  chair  and  the  gavel,  whereupon  each 
other  grand  officer  assumes  his  appropriate  station  in  place 
of  the  corresponding  officer  of  the  Lodge,  and  the  brethren 
are  seated. 

When  the  Grand  Master  has  finished  the  business  for 
which  the  visit  was  made,  or  at  his  pleasure,  he  resigns 
the  chair  to  the  Master,  whereupon  the  other  grand  officers 
resign  their  respective  stations  to  the  proper  officers  of  the 
Lodge  and  repair  to  the  East  and  take  seats  on  the  right 
of  the  Master.  If  the  Grand  Lodge  retires  before  the 
Lodge  is  closed,  the  same  ceremony  is  observed,  the  grand 
honors  being  given  just  before  the  Grand  Master  steps  from 
the  platform  to  take  his  place  in  the  procession. 

2.  The  Grand  Master. — When  a visit  from  the  Grand 
Master  is  announced,  the  Master  sends  the  Marshal,  Dea- 
cons, Stewards  and  one  of  the  oldest  members  (a  Past  Mas- 
ter, if  practicable),  bearing  the  Book  of  Constitution,  to 
escort  him  into  the  hall.  They  form  a procession  in  the 
following  order: 

Marshal,  Stewards,  brother  carrying  the  Book  of  Con- 
stitution, Grand  Master,  Deacons. 

The  Marshal  makes  demand,  and  on  entering  announces 
“The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,”  when  the  Master 
calls  up  the  Lodge.  The  Stewards  stop  inside  the  door  and 
cross  their  rods  while  the  others  proceed  to  the  East.  The 
Grand  Master  ascends  the  Master’s  platform  and  is  re- 
ceived with  the  private  honors.  The  Master  then  resigns 
the  chair  and  gavel  to  the  Grand  Master,  and  the  Lodge  is 
seated. 

When  the  Grand  Master  signifies  his  intention  of  retir- 
ing, he  resigns  the  chair  and  gavel  to  the  Master,  who 
directs  the  proper  officers  to  attend  for  the  escort  of  the 
Grand  Master.  He  is  then  saluted  with  the  grand  honors 
and  escorted  out  of  the  Lodge  in  the  same  manner'  in 
which  he  was  received,  the  Stewards  stopping  at  the  door 
and  crossing  their  rods. 

3.  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters. — The  following  form 
for  the  reception  of  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  and 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  31  \ 

the  same  form  is  appropriate  for  the  reception  of  Special 
Deputies : 

The  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters  shall  give  previous 
reasonable  notice  of  their  intended  visit  to  the  Master  of 
the  Lodge,  who  shall  summon  the  same,  and  provide  one  of 
the  ante-rooms  or  some  other  convenient  place  within  the 
Lodge  building,  to  which  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Master 
will  repair  and  inform  the  Lodge  by  their  Marshal  that  he 
is  waiting.  The  Lodge  being  opened,  the  Master  shall 
then  direct  the  Marshal,  accompanied  by  the  Deacons  and 
the  Stewards  with  their  rods,  to  wait  on  the  District  Deputy 
Grand  Master  and  inform  him  that  the  Lodge  is  ready  to 
receive  him,  and  conduct  him  to  the  door  of  the  Lodge  in 
the  following  order : 

1,  Marshal ; 2,  Stewards ; 3,  Deacons ; 4,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Master. 

On  arriving  at  the  door  of  the  Lodge  the  Marshal  makes 
demand,  and  the  door  being  opened,  he  announces  “The 
District  Deputy  Grand  Master,”  and  they  enter  the  Lodge, 
the  Brethren  arise,  the  Stewards  and  Deacons  halt  within 
and  open  to  the  right  and  left,  crossing  their  rods,  the 
District  Deputy  Grand  Master  enters  between  them,  pre- 
ceded by  the  Marshal;  being  entered,  the  Brethren  salute 
him  in  ancient  form,  the  Marshal  conducts  him  to  the 
East  and  the  Master  offers  him  a chair.  The  visit  being 
ended,  and  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  signifying 
his  intention  to  retire,  he  is  conducted  to  his  chamber  in 
the  same  manner,  the  Stewards  and  Deacons  halting  as 
above  at  the  door  of  his  apartment  only.  And  the  sub- 
stance of  the  above  order  will  be  observed  when  the  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master  visits  by  deputation  of  the  Past 
Master  or  Master  of  a Lodge,  except  that  such  Deputy  will 
not  take  the  chair,  but  sit  uncovered  at  the  right  of  the 
Master. 

4.  Other  Brethren. — When  a Brother  visits  a Lodge, 
and  has  been  examined  or  vouched  for,  the  Master  sends 
the  Senior  Deacon  to  introduce  him.  That  officer  conducts 
him  to  the  usual  place  and  says: 

“Worshipful  Master,  I have  the  pleasure  of  introducing 
to  you  Brother , hailing  from Lodge.” 

The  Master  calls  up  the  Lodge  and  says; 


312  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

“Brother , it  gives  me  pleasure  to  introduce 


to  you  the  members  of Lodge  and  their  visitors, 

•and  to  welcome  you  to  a seat  among  us.” 

The  Senior  Deacon  conducts  the  visitor  to  a seat,  and 
the  Lodge  is  called  down. 

No  Brother  should  be  allowed  to  visit  a Lodge  for  the 
first  time  without  an  introduction.  If  the  visitor  is  a 
Past  Master,  he  should  be  invited  to  a seat  in  the  East ; 
and  if  he  is  an  officer  of  any  Grand  Lodge,  or  a permanent 
member  of  our  Grand  Lodge,  or  a Past  Grand  Master,  he 
should  be  received  with  the  grand  honors  at  the  time  of 
his  introduction. 

Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters  shall  be  attended  by  two 
Deacons  with  rods,  and  the  Lodge  rises  to  receive  him. 
He  is  seated  in  the  East  on  the  right  of  the  Past  Grand 
Masters.  Past  Grand  Wardens  are  received  by  calling 
up  the  Lodge,  and  are  seated  on  the  right  of  the  P.  D. 
G.  M’s.  Past  Grand  Secretaries  and  Past  Grand 
Treasurers  are  seated  on  the  right  of  P.  W.  C.  Wardens. 
All  other  Past  Grand  Officers  shall  be  introduced  by  the 
Master  of  Ceremonies  and  seated  according  to  rank.  If 
the  Senior  Deacon,  a present  officer  of  this  or  any  other 
Grand  Lodge  in  which  we  are  in  fraternal  relations,  shall 
visit  this  Lodge,  the  Master  shall  call  up  the  Lodge  and 
receive  him  or  them  according  to  rank ; the  Senior 
Deacon  sees  that  they  are  seated  in  numerical  rank. 

The  Master  should  take  great  care  to  extend  the  proper 
courtesies  to  visiting  Brethren  and  to  make  them  feel 
that  they  are  welcome.  He  should  invariably,  as  soon 
as  the  Lodge  is  opened,  give  a general  invitation  to  all 
Past  Masters  to  take  seats  in  the  East ; and  this  invitation 
should  be  accepted  by  those  present,  unless  there  are 
special  reasons  for  not  doing  so. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  3J 3 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

KNIGHTS  TEMPLARS. 

One  of  the  chief  attractions  in  Malta  is  the  grand  old 
Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Baptist.  Under  the  stone  roof 
of  this  ancient  church  the  old  Grand  Masters  and  Crafts- 
men often  knelt  in  devotion  to  Almighty  God.  The 
poetic  and  romantic  beauty  of  this  once  celebrated  cathe- 
dral still  claims  the  attention  of  the  traveler,  who  soon 
learns  to  tread  with  more  reverence  on  that  sacred  pave- 
ment because  each  stone  is  emblazoned  with  heraldic 
devices,  or  other  memorials,  of  some  brave  warrior  who 
knelt  here  at  his  devotions  and  now  sleeps  in  the  crypt 
below. 

The  Order  of  Knight  Templar  Masonry,  although  scat- 
tered over  Europe,  was  not  organized  into  Lodges  or  con- 
claves until  the  year  1769.  Masonic  traditions,  however, 
trace  its  existence  as  early  as  the  year  1314.  Crossing 
the  Atlantic  as  early  as  1756,  the  Pilgrims  began  their 
glorious  work  in  North  America,  and  coming  down 
through  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries  to  the 
present  time,  Templar  Masons  may  be  found  in  all  the 
States  and  Territories  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

From  the  upper  chamber  in  the  house  at  Jerusalem 
the  disciples  met — what  momentous  results  have  come 
down  to  us  of  the  nineteenth  century,  all  springing  from 

Note. — For  the  cause  of  knighthood  Jacques  De  Meolay,  Grand 
Master  of  Knights  Templar  was  arrested  while  on  a visit  to 
France,  and  burned  alive  March  18,  1314.  Before  dying  he  ap- 
pointed Johan  Marcus  Larnenio  as  his  successor  to  the  office  of 
Grand  Master. 


314  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

that  little  band,  small  in  number,  but  great  in  resolution, 
who  received  the  divine  injunction  from  the  lips  of  the 
crucified  Saviour ! Who  can  measure  or  determine  the 
great  work  those  Christian  warriors  set  in  motion?  Well 
may  the  Templars  and  the  Hospitallers  and  the  Knights 
of  St.  John  be  proud  to  hail  from  such  an  ancestry.  The 
many  monuments  throughout  the  Christian  world  attest 
the  devotion  of  mankind  to  the  cause  for  which  they 
suffered.  In  the  great  city  where  Constantine,  arrayed  in 
the  imperial  purple,  and  wielding  the  sceptre  of  universal 
dominion,  bowed  to  the  new  faith  and  proclaimed  Chris- 
tianity to  all  the  world.  In  the  metropolis  of  the  English, 
or  wherever  civilization  has  penetrated,  even  beyond 
churches  and  cathedrals,  bearing  the  names  of  the  chosen 
few,  great  monuments  have  been  erected  to  perpetuate  the 
Templars’  memory  and  that  for  which  they  battled. 

But  far  beyond  those  bronze  and  marble  creations  are 
the  sacred  and  undying  truths  which  the  devoted  heroism 
of  those  first  defenders  of  the  faith,  made  known  to  all 
mankind.  The  monuments  of  stone  and  bronze  may 
yield  to  the  corroding  tooth  of  time,  but  the  truths  born 
at  Bethlehem  and  sanctified  on  Calvary  live  forever. 

Mount  of  Olives,  Jerusalem. — On  this  are  three 
pinnacles:  in  a rock  or  stone  in  the  centre  one  is  the  im- 
pression of  the  left  foot  (Zach.  xiv.,  4;  Ezek.  viii.,  4; 
Id.,  xi.,  23),  or  sandals  of  a man,  ten  inches  in  length 
and  four  in  breadth,  represented  to  be  that  of  what  our 
Saviour  left  on  his  ascension  to  heaven.  A small  octagon 
chapel  is  built  over  the  spot.  This  stone  is  most  devoutlv 
saluted  by  pilgrims.  It  appears  that  he  had  stood  with 
his  left  hand  towards  Jerusalem;  a most  appalling  sign; 
and  his  face  was  directed  towards  the  north.  Kone 
acquainted  with  the  word  of  God  can  stand  on  this  com- 
manding elevation  without  perceiving  the  boundless  field 
which  opens  for  contemplating  the  wisdom  and  goodness 
of  the  Omnipotent  Creator  of  all  things;  the  variety  of 
stupendous  and  most  miraculous  events  which  occurred 
on  this  chosen  part  of  the  earth  during  the  past  ages, 

Daniel  Sickles,  Templars. 

J.  L.  Cross,  Masonic  Lectures. 

(Augustus  Le  Dungeon:  Sacred  Mysteries,  1SS0.) 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  315 

demonstrative  of  His  power,  and  marked  as  the  seat  of 
the  redemption  of  the  human  race.  Besides,  the  top  of 
this  mountain,  from  which  Jerusalem  appears  like  a map 


Rhodes — At  Time  of  Crusades. 

under  the  feet,  is  the  very  spot  where  He,  who  walked  on 
the  wings  of  the  wind,  who  condescended  to  wear  the 


3 \6  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

habiliments  of  mortality,  and  to  sojourn  in  this  world, 
was  victorious  over  death  and  the  grave ; and  that  Prince 
and  Conqueror,  who  had  descended  into  the  waters  of 
affliction,  arose  to  glory,  and  to  sit  at  the  right  hand  of 
the  Majesty  on  high,  such  considerations  are  strikingly 
calculated  to  stamp  deeply  on  the  soul  of  man  a feeling 
of  the  most  profound  veneration. 

In  the  fourteenth  century,  when  the  Island  of  Rhodes 
was  occupied  by  the  crusaders,  who  fortified  and  enriched 
it,  making  the  place  the  stronghold  of  that  illustrious 
order,  whose  renown  is  established  on  an  enduring 
foundation,  its  walls,  fortresses  and  principal  buildings 
doubly  fortified  by  the  heroic  virtues  and  grand  achieve- 
ments of  that  body  of  Christian  Knights,  held  the  place 
for  more  than  two  hundred  years  against  many  fierce 
attacks,  to  which  they  were  subjected  by  the  vastly  supe- 
rior forces  of  the  Ottoman  Empire.  Rhodes  is  situated  in 
the  Mediterranean,  near  the  coast  of  Asia  Minor,  and 
has  an  area  of  some  four  hundred  square  miles.  The 
Rhodians,  among  the  children  of  Jason,  are  mentioned  in 
the  Mosaic  writing  and  in  Hebrew  history. 

There  were  Jewish  residents  in  Rhodes  at  the  time  of 
the  consolidation  of  Roman  power  in  the  Levant,  and 
according  to  Josephus,  it  was  then  distinguished  for  com- 
mercial importance.  Its  capital.  Rhoda,  became  celebrated 
not  only  for  its  trade  and  material  resources,  but  it  also 
acquired  a high  literary  renown.  Cleobulus,  reckoned 
among  the  seven  sages,  was  a Rhodian.  Cicero  obtained 
a good  part  of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Rhodes, 
which  continued  for  many  centuries  to  hold  the  first  rank. 
In  1308  Sir  Fulke  de  Yillaret.  at  the  head  of  the  Knights 
Hospitallers,  captured  the  city  and  reconstructed  it  by 
erecting  many  notable  public  edifices  and  private  dwell- 
ings of  a substantial  character.  Who  were  these  .Knights 
Hospitallers?  The  order  at  first  was  a religious  and 
benevolent  association,  its  chief  purpose  being  to  help 
Christian  pilgrims  in  Palestine.  Afterwards  its  members 
organized  as  a military  body,  and  took  upon  themselves 
a vow  similar  to  that  taken  by  the  Knights  Templars. 
They  took  possession  of  another  historic  island,  Malta, 
which  they  held  for  nearly  three  hundred  years,  until,  in 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  317 

1798,  the  organization  was  broken  up  by  a surrender  to 
Napoleon.  The  palaces  and  temples  they  reared  on  both 
of  these  famous  spots  have  fallen  into  decay.  The  ancient 
organization  no  longer  exists,  but  there  is  preserved  to  us 
a memory  of  their  grand  achievements. 


318 


Official  History  ^of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

RULES  OE  GOVERNMENT. 

The  government  of  a Masonic  Lodge  is  vested  in  three 
superior  officers,  who  are  seated  in  the  East,  West  and 
South,  to  represent  the  rising,  setting  and  meridian  sun. 
They  are  distinguished  by  significant  jewels,  emblematical 
of  their  respective  duties,  and  depicted  by  three  lesser 
lights,  which  symbolize  the  sun,  the  moon  and  Master. 
To  intimate  that,  as  the  sun  rules  the  day  and  the  moon 
the  night,  with  undeviating  regularity,  so  ought  the 
Master  to  rule  his  Lodge  with  equal  precision  that  unity 
and  concord  may  be  as  visibly  displayed  there,  as  in  the 
uniform  movements  of  those  celestial  orbs  of  light.  The 
Master’s  authority  in  the  Lodge  is  as  despotic  as  is  the 
sun  in  the  firmament,  which  was  placed  there  by  the 
Creator,  never  to  deviate  from  its  accustomed  course  till 
the  declaration  is  promulgated  that  time  shall  be  no  more. 

Degrees. — The  Master  Masons’  degree  was  originally 
called  the  summit  of  Ancient  Craft  Masonry.  Indeed,  it 
was  the  single  object  of  all  the  Ancient  Rites  and  mys- 
teries practiced  in  the  very  bosom  of  Pagan  darkness, 
shining  as  a solitary  beacon  in  all  the  surrounding  gloom 
and  cheering  the  philosopher  in  the  weary  pilgrimage  of 
life,  to  teach  the  immortality  of  the  soul.  This  is  still 
the  great  design  of  the  third  degree  of  Masonry.  The 
Master  Mason  represents  man  when  youth,  manhood,  old 
age  and  life  itself,  have  passed  away  as  fleeting  shadows, 
yet  raised  from  the  grave  of  iniquity  and  quickened  into 
another  and  a better  existence,  having  been  redeemed 
from  the  death  of  sin. 

Symbolic  Idea. — The  three  degrees  are  intended  to 
present  the  symbolic  idea  of  man  passing  through  the 


Among  the  Colored  People  m North  America.  319 

pilgrimage  of  life.  Each  degree  is  appropriated  to  a cer- 
tain portion  of  that  pilgrimage.  If,  then,  the  first  degree 
is  a representation  of  youth,  the  time  to  learn,  and  the 
second  of  manhood  or  time  to  work,  the  third  is  symbolic 
of  old  age,  with  its  trials,  its  sufferings,  and  its  final  ter- 
mination in  death.  The  time  for  toiling  is  now  over ; 
the  opportunity  to  learn  has  passed  away;  the  spiritual 
temple  that  we  all  have  been  striving  to  erect  in  our 
hearts  is  now  nearly  completed,  and  the  wearied  work- 
man awaits  only  the  word  of  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
Universe  to  call  him  from  the  labors  of  earth  to  the 
eternal  refreshments  of  heaven. 

Lodge  of  St.  John. — The  Masonic  tradition  is  that 
the  primitive  or  mother  Lodge  was  held  at  Jerusalem, 
and  dedicated  to  St.  John  the  Baptist,  then  the  Evangelist, 
and  finally  to  both ; hence  this  Lodge  was  called  the  Lodge 
of  the  Holy  St.  John  of  Jerusalem. 

In  all  Masonic  documents  the  words  formerly  ran  as 
follows:  “From  the  Lodge  of  the  Holy  St.  John  of  Je- 

rusalem,” under  the  distinctive  appellation  of  Solomon’s 
Lodge,  No.  1.  Hence  all  regularly  made  Masons  hail 
from  such  a Lodge,  that  is  to  say,  from  a just  and  legally 
constituted  Lodge.  So  important  a feature  in  Masonry, 
the  congregation  of  Masons  for  work  or  worship,  cannot 
be  without  its  appropriate  symbolism.  Hence  a Lodge, 
when  duly  opened,  becomes  a symbol  of  the  world.  Its 
covering  is  like  the  world’s,  a sky  or  clouded  canopy,  to 
reach  which,  as  the  abode  of  those  who  do  the  will  of  the 
Grand  Architect,  it  is  furnished  with  the  holy  ladder  which 
reaches  from  earth  to  heaven,  and  it  is  illuminated,  as  is 
the  world,  by  the  refulgent  rays  of  the  sun,  symbolically 
represented  by  his  rising  in  the  East,  his  meridian  height 
in  the  South,  and  his  setting  in  the  West.  And  lastly,  its 
very  form,  a quadrangle  or  oblong  square,  is  in  reference 
to  the  early  tradition  that  such  was  the  shape  of  the  inhab' 
ited  world. 

Furniture; — The  Lodge,  technically  speaking,  is  a 
piece  of  furniture  made  in  imitation  of  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant,  which  was  constructed  according  to  the  form 
prescribed  by  God  himself,  and  which,  after  the  erection 
of  the  Temple,  was  kept  in  the  holy  of  holies,  which  also 


320  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

contained  the  Table  of  the  Law.  The  Lodge  contains  the 
Book  of  Constitution  and  the  Warrant  of  Constitution 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  ample  jurisdiction. 

By  an  ancient  usage  of  the  Craft,  the  Book  of  the  Law 
is  always  spread  open  in  the  Lodge.  There  is  in  this,  as 
in  everything  else  that  is  Masonic,  an  appropriate  symbol- 
ism. This  Book  of  the  Law  is  the  great  light  of  Masonry. 
To  close  it  would  be  to  intercept  the  rays  of  divine  light 
which  emanate  from  it,  and  hence  it  is  spread  open  to  indi- 
cate that  the  Lodge  is  not  in  darkness,  but  under  the  influ- 
ence of  its  illuminating  power.  Masons  in  this  respect 
obey  the  suggestion  of  the  divine  founder  of  the  Christian 
religion,  “neither  do  men  light  a candle  and  put  it  under 
a bushel,  but  on  a candlestick,  and  it  giveth  light  unto  all 
that  are  in  the  house.”  A closed  book,  or  a sealed  book, 
indicates  that  its  contents  are  secret,  and  a book  or  roll 
folded  up  was  the  symbol,  says  Wemyss,  of  a law  abro- 
gated, or  of  a thing  of  no  further  use.  Hence,  as  the  re- 
verse of  all  this,  the  Book  of  the  Law  is  open  in  our  Lodges, 
to  teach  us  that  its  contents  are  to  be  studied,  that  the  law 
which  it  inculcates  is  still  in  force,  and  is  to  be  “the  rule 
and  guide  of  our  conduct.” 

But  the  Book  of  the  Law  is  not  open  at  random.  In 
each  degree  there  are  appropriate  passages  which  allude  to 
the  design  of  the  degree,  or  to  some  part  of  its  ritual ; this 
makes  it  expedient  that  the  Book  should  be  opened  with 
those  passages. 

Masonic  usage  has  not  always  been  consistent,  nor  is  it 
now  universal,  in  relation  to  what  particular  passages 
shall  be  unfolded  in  each  degree.  The  custom  in  America, 
at  least  since  the  publication  of  “Webb’s  Monitor,”  has 
been  very  uniform,  and  is  as  follows: 

In  the  first  degree  the  Bible  is  opened  at  Psalm  cxxxiii., 
an  eloquent  description  of  the  beauty  of  brotherly  love, 
and  hence  most  appropriate  as  the  illustration  of  a society 
whose  existence  is  dependent  on  that  noble  principle.  In 
the  second  degree  the  passage  adopted  is  Amos  vii.,  7,  8.  in 
which  the  allusion  is  evidently  to  the  plumb  line,  an  im- 
portant emblem  of  that  degree.  In  the  third  degree  the 
Bible  is  opened  at  Ecclesiastes  xii.,  1-7,  in  which  the  de- 
scription of  old  age  and  death  is  appropriately  applied  to 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  321 

the  sacred  object  of  this  degree.  But,  as  has  been  said,  the 
choicest  of  these  passages  has  been  selected,  but  always  with 
great  appropriateness,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  following 
brief  sketch: 

Formerly  the  Book  of  the  Law  was  opened  in  the  first 
degree  at  the  twenty-second  chapter  of  Genesis,  which 
gives  an  account  of  Abraham’s  intended  sacrifice  of  Isaac. 
As  this  event  constituted  the  first  grand  offering , commem- 
orated by  our  ancient  brethren,  by  which  the  ground  floor 
of  the  Apprentices’  Lodge  was  consecrated,  it  seems  to  have 
been  very  appropriately  selected  as  the  passage  of  this  de- 
gree. That  part  of  the  twenty-eighth  chapter  of  Genesis 
which  records  the  vision  of  Jacob’s  ladder  was  also,  with 
equal  appositeness,  selected  as  the  passage  for  the  first  de- 
gree. 

The  following  passage  from  I.  Kings,  vi.,  8,  was,  during 
one  part  of  the  last  century,  used  in  the  second,  degree : 
“The  door  of  the  middle  chamber  was  in  the  right  side 
of  the  house,  and  they  went  up  the  winding  stairs  into  the 
middle  chamber  and  out  of  the  middle  into  the  third.” 
The  appositeness  of  this  passage  to  the  Fellow  Craft  will 
hardly  be  disputed.  At  another  time  the  following-  pass- 
age from  II.  Chronicles,  iii.,  17,  was  selected  for  the  second 
degree;  its  appropriateness  will  be  equally  evident: 

“And  he  reared  up  the  pillars  before  the  Temple,  one  on 
the  right  hand  and  the  other  on  the  left;  and  he  called  the 
name  of  that  on  the  right  hand  Jachin,  and  the  name  of 
that  on  the  left  Boaz.” 

The  words  of  Amos  v.,  25,  26,  were  sometimes  adopted 
as  the  passage  for  the  third  degree : 

“Have  ye  offered  unto  me  sacrifice  and  offerings  in  the 
wilderness  forty  years,  0 house  of  Israel  ? But  ye  have 
borne  the  tabernacle  of  your  Moloch  and  Chinn,  your 
images,  the  star  of  your  god,  which  ye  made  to  yourselves.” 
The  allusions  to  this  paragraph  are  not  so  evident  as  the 
others.  They  refer  to  historical  matters  which  were  once 
embodied  in  the  ancient  lectures  of  Freemasonry.  In 
them  the  sacrifices  of  the  Israelites  to  Moloch  were  fully 
described,  and  a tradition,  belonging  to  the  third  degree, 
informs  us  that  Hiram  Abif  did  much  to  extirpate  this 
idolatrous  worship  from  the  religious  system  of  Tyre. 


322  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  sixth  chapter  of  II.  Chronicles,  which  contains  the 
prayer  of  King  Solomon  at  the  dedication  of  the  Temple, 
was  also  used  at  one  time  for  the  third  degree.  Perhaps, 
however,  this  was  with  less  fitness  than  any  of  the  other 
passages  quoted,  since  the  events  commemorated  in  the 
third  degree  took  place  at  a somewhat  earlier  period  than 
the  dedication.  Such  a passage  might  more  appropriately 
be  annexed  to  the  ceremonies  of  the  Most  Excellent 
Master. 

At  present  the  usage  in  England  differs  in  respect  to 
the  choice  of  passages  from  that  adopted  in  America. 
There  the  Bible  is  opened,  in  the  first  degree,  at  Euth 

iv-’  7:  . 

“Now  this  was  the  manner  in  former  time  in  Israel 
concerning  redeeming  and  concerning  changing,  for  to 
confirm  all  things ; a man  plucked  off  his  shoe  and  gave  it 
to  his  neighbor ; and  this  was  a testimony  in  Israel.” 

In  the  second  degree  the  passage  is  opened  at  I.  Kings, 
vii.,  13,  14: 

“And  King  Solomon  sent  and  fetched  Hiram  out  of 
Tyre.  He  was  a widow’s  son  of  the  tribe  of  Naphtali,  and 
his  father  was  a man  of  Tyre,  a worker  in  brass ; and  he 
was  filled  with  wisdom,  and  understanding,  and  cunning 
to  work  all  work  in  brass.  And  he  came  to  King  Solomon 
and  brought  all  his  work.” 

While,  from  the  force  of  habit,  as  well  as  from  the  ex- 
trinsic excellence  of  the  passages  themselves,  the  American 
Mason  will,  perhaps,  prefer  the  selection  made  in  his  own 
Lodge,  especially  for  the  first  and  third  degrees,  he  at  the 
same  time,  will  not  fail  to  admire  the  taste  and  ingenuity 
of  our  English  brethren  in  the  selection  they  have  made. 
In  the  second  degree  the  passage  from  Judges  is  undoubt- 
edly preferable. 

it  may  be  observed  that  to  give  these  passages  their  due 
Masonic  importance  it  is  essential  that  they  should  be 
covered  by  the  square  and  compasses.  The  Bible,  square 
and  compasses  are  significant  symbols  of  Freemasonry. 
They  are  said  to  allude  to  the  peculiar  characteristics  of 
our  ancient  Grand  Masters.  The  Bible  is  emblematic  of 
the  wisdom  of  King  Solomon;  the  square  of  the  power  of 
Hiram;  and  the  compasses  of  the  Chief  Builder.  Some 


. Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  323 

Masonic  writers  have  still  further  spiritualized  these  sym- 
bols, by  supposing  them  to  symbolize  the  wisdom,  truth  and 
justice  of  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe.  In  any 
view,  they  become  instructive  and  inseparably  connected 
portions  of  the  true  Masonic  ritual,  which,  to  be  under- 
stood, must  be  studied  together. 

Application-  of  Candidates. — When  a petition  for  the 
mysteries  of  Masonry  is  received  by  a Lodge  it  is  referred 
to  a committee  of  investigation.  The  importance,  and, 
indeed,  the  absolute  necessity  of  a proper  and  careful  in- 
quiry into  the  character  of  candidates  for  initiation,  can- 
not be  too  often  impressed  upon  the  mind.  It  is  the  great- 
est of  all  guards  that  the  wisdom  of  our  predecessors  has 
thrown  around  the  security  and  safety  of  our  order.  ISTo 
man  can  be  accepted  a member  of  a particular  Lodge  with- 
out previous  notice  one  week  before  given  to  the  Lodge, 
in  order  to  make  due  inquiry  into  the  reputation  and  ca- 
pacity of  the  candidate.  So  important  has  this  preliminary 
step  towards  initiation  been  deemed,  that  the  “General 
Regulations,”  approved  in  the  year  1721,  prescribe  it  as  a 
positive  law.  See  Anderson’s  “Constitution,”  1738. 

Lodge  Warrant. — The  warrant  is  an  instrument  writ- 
ten on  vellum,  signed  by  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy, 
or  both,  and  countersigned  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  and 
verified  by  the  Grand  Lodge  seal.  In  the  absence  of  this 
authority,  no  company  of  Masons  can  be  legally  authorized 
to  assemble  together  for  the  specific  purpose  of  Freema- 
sonry. The  existence  of  warrants  originated  at  the  revival 
in  1717,  when  it  was  determined  by  a resolution  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  that  the  privilege  of  Masonry  should  no 
longer  be  restricted  to  operative  Masons.  A warrant  once 
granted  to  a Lodge  is  immutable  so  long  as  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  which  it  forms  a constituent  part  exists,  and  the 
members  adhere  to  their  allegiance. 

If  a Lodge  conducts  itself  improperly,  either  by  a dis- 
regard to  the  requirements  of  Masonic  law  or  a contuma- 
cious opposition  to  the  landmarks  and  ancient  customs,  the 
Grand  Master  having  given  them  timely  notice  of  the  con- 
sequence without  effect,  may  declare  the  warrant  forfeited, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  annual  com- 
munication. 


324  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

A Regular  Lodge. — A regular  Lodge  means  a Lodge 
which  assembles  by  regular  summonses  on  the  day  and 
hour  named  in  the  by-laws  and  at  no  other  time.  All 
other  meetings  are  termed  Lodges  of  Emergency,  and  can 
only  be  called  together  under  certain  specified  restric- 
tions. The  Worshipful  Master  alone  can  summon  a Lodge 
of  Emergency,  except  in  his  absence  the  Senior  Warden  is 
empowered  to  call  the  brethren  together  and  to  preside, 
and  perform  certain  duties  attached  to  the  chair.  The 
circumstances  which  render  such  an  especial  Lodge  nec- 
essary must  be  particularized  in  the  summons  and  recorded 
in  the  minutes  and  if  any  other  business  be  introduced, 
it  is  illegal,  and  the  decision,  whatever  it  may  be,  is  not 
binding  on  the  Lodge. 

The  business  of  a regular  Lodge  consists  in  initiating, 
passing  and  raising  candidates,  with  the  accompanying 
and  indispensable  duties  of  giving  them  the  necessary  in- 
struments, and  delivering  the  charges  and  lectures  on  the 
several  tracing  boards  in  each  of  the  three  degrees.  It  is 
competent  to  regulate  its  own  proceedings,  alter  the  by- 
laws if  necessary,  and,  with  the  consent  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  keep  just  minutes  of  the  transactions,  which  must 
be  read  and  confirmed  at  the  opening  of  the  Lodge;  to 
preserve  discipline  and  punish  offenders;  discuss  ques- 
tions bearing  on  the  general  interests  of  Masonry ; to 
make  returns  and  pay  all  the  stipulated  fees  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  to  procure  certificates  for  the  brethren  when 
they  have  been  raised  to  the  third  degree;  and  strictly  to 
observe  the  ancient  landmarks,  usages  and  customs  and 
general  regulations.  The  neglect  of  any  one  of  which 
would  subject  it  to  censure  or  punishment. 

Admission  of  Candidates. — The  following  law  relative 
to  the  admission  of  candidates  may  be  found  in  all  the 
constitutions  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Uegro  Masons  in 
the  United  States; 

“All  petitions  for  initiation  shall  be  presented  by  a 
Master  Mason,  and  recommended  by  two  other  Master 
Masons,  at  a regular  meeting  of  the  Lodge,  which  petition 
shall  lie  over  until  the  next  Lodge,  when,  if  the  committee 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  should  make  a favorable  re- 
port thereon,  the  ballot  shall  be  taken,  and  if  unanimous 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  325 

in  his  favor,  the  petition  shall  be  granted,  and  the  appli- 
cant initiated  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient.” 

The  ballot  cannot  be  divulged. 

So  carefully  have  the  laws  of  Masonry  guarded  a per- 
fect freedom  of  action  in  voting,  that  it  was  provided  by 
our  brethren  of  the  last  century  that  every  vote  deposited 
in  the  ballot  box  shall  be  kept  a profound  secret,  even  if 
known  to  the  members  present,  which  is  scarcely  possible 
by  our  method  of  using  the  ballot  box,  unless  revealed 
by  the  voter  himself;  for  it  is  an  acknowledged  principle 
in  Masonry  that  no  brother  can  be  made  accountable  for 
his  vote,  because  in  such  a case  the  vote  would  cease  to 
be  independent.  The  penalty  for  violating  this  law  is 
expulsion  forever. 

Master  of  a Masonic  Lodge. — To  become  Master  of  a 
Masonic  Lodge  of  Freemasons  is  a laudable  ambition. 
With  such  an  ambition  should  be  joined  a clear  appre- 
hension of  the  character  and  duties  of  that  important 
office.  Its  duties  are  not  confined  to  the  repetition  of 
certain  phrases  and  the  direction  of  what  is  called  the 
“work,”  but  comprises  vastly  more  of  understanding  and 
service.  A Master  should  be  able  to  instruct  the  Craft, 
not  only  as  to  the  meaning  and  origin  of  our  ceremonies, 
but  also  to  explain  to  them  the  philosophy  which  is  veiled 
in  its  allegories  and  illustrated  by  its  symbols.  He  should 
be  able,  also,  to  convince  his  brethren  that  all  science 
and  all  art,  legitimately  directed,  are  but  lines  that  radiate 
towards  the  great  I AM;  that  the  sciences  are  the  media 
by  which  we  are  led  to  contemplate  the  goodness,  great- 
ness, wisdom  and  power  we  have  developed  of  expressing 
our  sense  and  admiration  of  the  wondrous  glories  of  an 
Almighty  Father  which  are  scattered  around  us. 

The  Master  of  a Lodge  should  also  in  his  life  and  his 
conversation  be  a model  for  his  brethren  to  admire  and 
imitate,  and  should  himself  practice,  out  of  the  Lodge, 
those  great  moral  doctrines  and  virtues  which  he  incul- 
cates within  its  walls.  He  should  be  punctual  and 
methodical  in  all  things,  and,  both  by  his  character  and 
conduct  command  the  respect,  the  esteem  and  good  will  of 
all  men,  for  as  the  Master  is  supreme  in  his  Lodge,  and 
distinguished  by  his  position  in  the  Craft,  so  should  he 


326 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


also  be  distinguished  as  the  possessor  of  an  irreproach- 
able character,  a dignified  demeanor,  an  expanded  intel- 
lect, and  a liberal  education.  Happy  and  prosperous  must 
those  Lodges  be  which  are  governed  bv  such  men.  Their 
time  of  meeting  is  looked  forward  to  by  the  brethren  with 
most  pleasing  anticipations.  Prompt  at  the  hour  every 
brother  is  at  his  station,  and  the  work  is  carried  on  with 
pleasure  and  profit.  The  Worshipful  Master  who  pre- 
sides over  his  Lodge  with  ability,  firmness  and  decision — 
(for  without  force  of  character  there  can  be  no  force  of 
impression)  whose  manner  is  courteous  yet  dignified, 
whose  decisions  are  consonant  with  reason  and  Masonic 
law,  and  who  dispenses  light  and  information  among  the 
Craft,  will  ever  be  regarded  by  his  brethren  as  one  who 
is  entitled  to  their  highest  respect  and  their  most  fra- 
ternal regard. 

The  anxious  inquirer  after  truth  and  light  feels  that  he 
may  appeal  with  confidence  and  safety  to  such  a rule  of  a 
Lodge,  as  to  one  who  is  not  only  able  and  willing  to  re- 
ward and  advance  him  according  to  his  ability  and  worth, 
but  to  one  whose  duty  and  high  privilege  it  is  to  diffuse 
the  beams  of  light  and  to  scatter  abroad  the  seeds  of  truth. 
The  aspirant,  animated  by  the  love  of  truth,  uninfluenced 
by  mercenary  motives,  duly  appreciating  the  philosopher’s 
apothegm  that  “Knowledge  is  power,”  and  prompted  by 
higher  desires,  eagerly  presses  forward,  believing  in  a 
nobler  destiny,  and  aspiring  after  a brighter  record;  it  .is 
the  Master’s  duty  to  assist  him  in  his  research;  it  is  his 
high  privilege  to  “pour  the  balm  of  instruction  over  the 
mind,”  to  fill  it  with  light,  to  stir  up  its  powers,  and  to 
raise  it  to  its  proper  supremacy  over  matter. 

Making  Masons  at  Sight. — This  privilege  is  founded 
on  an  old  law,  which  provided  that  apprentices  must  be  ad- 
mitted Follow  Crafts  only  here  (in  Grand  Lodge)  unless 
by  a dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master.  This  is  a very 
ancient  regulation,  new  Masons  being  generally  made  at 
private  Lodges.  The  Grand  Master,*  however,  has  full 
Power  and  authority  to  make,  or  cause  to  be  made  in  his 
presence,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  at  sight,  and  such 
making  is  good.  But  usually  they  cannot  be  made  at  sight 

*Northouck’s  Edition  of  Anderson’s  Const.,  p.  289. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  327 

without  a written  dispensation  for  that  purpose,  nor  can  he 
oblige  any  warranted  Lodge  to  receive  the  person  so  made, 
if  the  members  should  declare  against  them.  But  in  such 
case  the  Grand  Master*  may  grant  them  a warrant,  and 
form  them  into  a new  Lodge. 

His  Boyal  Highness,  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  was  ad- 
mitted, for  it  stands  on  record  that  at  an  occasional  Lodge 
held  at  the  Thatched  House  Tavern  in  17G7,  Henry  Fred- 
erick, Duke  of  Cumberland,  was  introduced  in  the  usual 
manner  and  made  an  Entered  Apprentice,  passed  a Fel- 
low Craft,  and  raised  to  the  degree  of  a Grand  Master. 

Equality  of  Masons. — When  a Lodge  is  open  the 
members  present  possess  an  equality  of  rights — we  meet 
on  the  level.  As  Masons  and  brethren  we  always  stand 
upon  a level  by  the  principles  which  are  taught.  We  are 
all  of  the  same  family,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor, 
created  by  the  same  Almighty  power,  and  preserved  in 
existence  by  a consolation  and  support  originating  from 
the  same  source.  Still,  however.  Masonry  teaches  us  to' 
show  respect  and  honor  to  each  man  to  whom  respect  and 
honor  is  due,  according  to  the  respective  character  of  each 
individual;  and  when  individuals  deserve  well  of  the  whole 
fraternity,  it  displays  that  lustre,  that  Masons  unite  heart 
and  hand  to  evince  conjointly  their  high  estimation  of 
meritorious  services. 

It  is  technically  said  to  be  opened  on  the  center,  be- 
cause the  brethren  present  being  all  Master  Masons,  are 
equally  near  .and  equally  distant  from  that  imaginary 
central  point,  which,  amongst  Masons,  constitutes  per- 
fection as  it  is  enunciated  in  the  Pythagorean  or  Masonic 
triangle.  Neither  of  the  preliminary  degrees  can  assert 
the  same  conditions, 'because  the  Lodge  of  an  Entered  Ap- 
prentice may  contain  all  the  three  classes,  and  that  of  a 
Fellow  Craft  may  include  some  Master  Masons,  and  there- 
fore the  doctrine  of  perfect  equality  is  not  carried  out  in 
either. 

Masonic  Clothing. — Costume,  at  the  revival  in  1717, 
of  a Mason  was  technically  stated  by  our  brethren  to  be 
“a.  yellow  jacket  and  blue  breeches.”  This  referred  to  the 
distinguishing  working  tools  of  a Master,  viz. : the  com- 


*Ahim  Rez.  ed.,  1813,  p.  72. 


328 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


pass,  whose  upper  part  was  brass  and  the  points  blue  steel. 
Subsequently  the  costume  was  described  as  being  com- 
posed of  the  old  colors — blue,  purple  and  crimson.  Aprons 
were  painted  and  engraved  fronts,  with  Masonic  designs 
varied  according  to  taste,  edged  with  white,  blue  or  scarlet 
satin,  gold  or  silver  lace  and  fringes  and  girded  with  satin 
ribbons.  Laurie  tells  us  that  in  France  “the  Craft  were 
arrayed  in  the  most  splendid  and  costly  attire.”  In  1813 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  provided  that  Masonic  aprons 
should  be  no  other  than  a plain  white  lambskin,  from  four- 
teen to  sixteen  inches  wide,  twelve  to  fourteen  inches 
deep.  That  of  an  Entered  Apprentice  is  to  be  entire! 
without  ornament;  the  Fellow  Craft  is  allowed  the  addi- 
tion of  two  sky  blue  rosettes  at  the  bottom  and  the  Master 
Mason  a sky  blue  lining,  and  edging  one  inch  and  a half 
deep.  That  of  an  Entered  Apprentice  is  to  be  entirely 
tassels.  No  other  color  or  ornaments  are  allowed,  except 
to  officers  or  past  officers  of  Lodges,  who  may  have  the 
emblems  of  their  several  offices  embroidered  in  silver  in 
the  center  of  the  apron,  edged  with  blue,  jewels,  silver. 
The  past  and  present  grand  officers,  gold  trimmings  and 
jewels  and  white  gloves. 

Ballot  a Sacred  Eight. — There  is  no  question  that  is 
of  greater  importance  than  that  which  forms  the  subject 
of  the  present  chapter.  The  sacred  and  indefeasible  right 
of  a secret  and  independent  ballot  should  be  closely 
guarded  as  the  best  security  against  such  a danger.  When 
a ballot  is  ordered,  each  brother  having  deposited  his  vote, 
quietly  and  calmly  waits  to  hear  the  result  announced  by 
the  Master.  If  it  is  “clear”  all  are  pleased  that  a profane 
man  has  been  found  worthy  to  receive  the  mysteries  of 
Masonry,  but  if  rejected  all  rejoice  that  an  unworthv  can- 
didate has  been  stopped  from  receiving  the  illuminating 
rays  of  Masonic  light.  Hence,  in  the  admission  of  new 
members,  every  member  must  vote ; no  one  can  be  excused 
from  the  importance  of  sharing  the  responsibilities  of 
admission  or  rejection.  When  a member  has  no  personal 
acquaintance  or  knowledge  of  the  character  of  a candi- 
date, he  is  bound  to  give  implicit  faith  to  the  recommenda- 
tion of  his  brethren  who  have  examined  and  reported  upon 
the  same. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  329 

Who  Cah  Vote. — -Voting  in  a Masonic  Lodge  is  one  of 
the  highest  privileges  of  membership.  No  Mason  under 
the  degree  of  a Master  is  entitled  to  vote  in  a subordinate 
Lodge.  Entered  Apprentices  and  Fellow  Crafts  have  no 
voice  in  receiving  or  rejecting  material  or  workmen  for 
the  Temple.  Hence,  none  but  Masters  can  vote  for  the 
three  degrees  and  this  must  be  done  in  a Master's  house, 
and  no  brother  can  be  called  to  an  account  for  his  vote 
which  he  has  deposited.  The  secrecy  of  the  ballot  is 
intended  to  secure  this  right  every  members  enjoys,  and 
which  he  is  bound  to  exercise  faithfully,  impartially  and 
conscientiously.  With  him  alone  rests  the  responsibility 
of  -its  use.  He  is  not  permitted  to  divulge  the  nature  of 
his  vote.  There  is  no  reconsideration  of  a ballot.  The 
Grand  Master  cannot  even  by  his  dispensation  permit  a 
reconsideration.  The  Grand  Master  possesses  no  such  pre- 
rogatives. There  is  no  law  in  the  whole  jurisprudence  of 
the  institution  c-leareT  than  this : “That  neither  the  Grand 
Lodge  nor  the  Grand  Master  can  interfere  with  the  decis- 
ion of  the  ballot  box.”  In  the  sixth  of'  the  thirty-nine 
General  Regulations,  adopted  in  1721,  and  which  are  now 
recognized  as  a part  of  the  common  law  of  Masonry,  it  is 
said  that  in  the  election  of  candidates  the  members  are 
to  signify  their  consent  or  dissent  in  their  own  prudent 
way,  either  virtually,  or  in  form,  but  with  unanimity. 
Nor  is  this  inherent  privilege  subjected  to  a dispensation, 
because  the  members  of  a Lodge  are  the  best  judges  of  it, 
and  if  a fractious  member  should  be  imposed  upon  them, 
it  might  spoil  their  harmony  or  injure  their  freedom,  or 
even  break  and  dispose  the  Lodge,  which  ought  to  be 
avoided  by  all  good  and  true  brethren. 

For  the  Grand  Master  or  the  Grand  Lodge  to  interfere 
with  the  ballot  would  be  an  infringement  of  inherent 
privileges  ofhnembers.  Every  Lodge  must  be  left  to  man- 
age its  own  elections  of  candidates*  in  its  own  prudent 
way. 

1.  No  member  can  move  a reconsideration  of  the  ballot,  f 

* Ancient  Constitution,  1721. 

fLaws  of  1739:  The  ballot  is  the  sacred  right  of  a mason,  no 
Grand  body  can  even  meddle  with  it. — Mackey's  Mhsonic  Law, 
pp.  155-15G. 


330  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

2.  The  Master  alone  can,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  him- 
self, order  the  second  ballot,  and  this  must  be  done  on  the 
same  night,  before  any  member  leaves  the  Lodge  room, 
otherwise  the  ballot  is  final. 

3.  The  Grand  Master*  cannot  grant  a dispensation  for 
reconsideration,  nor  in  any  other  way  interfere  with  the 
ballot.  The  same  restriction  applies  to  the  Grand  Lodges. 

Honorary  Members. — Any  Lodge  may  elect  a brother 
who  has  rendered  some  essential  service  to  the  Lodge  or 
distinguished  himself  by  eminence  in  the  Craft  as  an 
honorary  member.  The  Grand  Lodge  may  confer  upon 
him  any  past  rank  for  distinguished  service.  However, 
he  is  not  competent  to  take  any  active  part  in  the  delibera- 
tions of  the  Lodge  by  which  he  has  been  thus  honored, 
without  the  especial  request  of  the  Worshipful  or  Grand 
Master,  who  may  be  desirous  of  hearing  his  opinion  on  any 
particular  question. 

Privileges  of  Visitors.- — It  is  the  undoubted  right  of 
every  Mason,  who  is  well  known  or  properly  vouched  for. 
to  visit  any  Lodge  during  the  time  it  is  open  for  general 
Masonic  business,  observing  the  proper  forms  to  be  at- 
tended to  on  such  occasions  so  that  the  Master  may  not  be 
interrupted  in  the  performance  of  his  duty.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  a Mason’s  Lodge  is  a Mason’s  Church : 
and  that  no  qualified  brother  could  he  legally  refused 
admittance  under  any  circumstances.  This  then  is  a land- 
mark which  ought  to  be  reverenced. 

Masonic  Charities. — The  mutual  dependence  of  the 
rich  upon  the  poor  for  service  and  assistance  in  the  execu- 
tion of  enterprises  and  designs  for  the  general  benefit  of 
the  community  and  of  the  poor  on  the  rich  for  the  means 
of  existence  in  health  and  for  aid  in  adversity,  comfort  in 
sickness  and  sympathy  in  misfortune,  is  so  universally 
acknowledged  that  no  fraternal  society  was  ever  known  to 
prosper  in  the  absence  of  some  plan  of  benevolence  which 
applies  a prompt  relief  to  all  its  worthy  members,  who.  bv 
age,  calamity,  or  suffering,  have  become  reduced  to  indi- 
gence and  want,  and  accordingly  Freemasonry  as  a benefi- 
cent society,  has  not  been  backward  in  making  provision 

*See  MSS.  Constitution  of  the  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  Cen- 
turies. 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  331 

for  its  unfortunate  and  impoverished  members.  In  many 
of  the  States  may  be  found  homes  for  aged  Masons  and 
for  their  widows  and  orphans.  There  are  also  connected 
with  the  order  Endowment  Associations,  through  which 
thousands  of  dollars  are  annually  paid  to  the  needy. 

Of  the  Confirmation  of  Minutes. — The  first  in 
order,  after  the  ritual  ceremonies  of  opening  have  been  per- 
formed, is  the  reading  and  confirming  of  the  minutes,  and 
the  only  question  to  be  here  considered  is  the  limit  to 
proposed  amendments  or  alterations  of  them.  It  is  the 
duty  of  the  Master,  after  the  minutes  have  been  read  for 
the  information  of  the  Lodge,  to  inquire  of  the  Wardens 
and  of  the  brethren  whether  they  have  any  alteration  or 
amendments  to  suggest  that  has  been  omitted  by  the  Sec- 
retary. It  must  be  remembered  that  the  true  character 
of  the  minutes  of  a Lodge  are  supposed  .to  be,  and  ought 
always  to  be,  just  and  true  records  of  all  things  proper  to 
be  written.  They  constitute  the  jpurnal  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  meeting  to  which  they  refer,  as  those  proceed- 
ings actually  occurred.  If  any  part  is  altered,  they  cease 
to  be  a record.  The  only  question  in  a Masonic  Lodge 
is,  after  the  minutes  have  been  read,  “Shall  the  minutes  be 
confirmed  ?”  and  this  question  is  simply  equivalent  to  this 
other  one,  “Is  it  the  sense  of  the  Lodge  that  the  Secretary 
has  kept  a just  and  true  record  of  the  proceedings?”  And 
the  alterations  or  amendments  to  be  suggested  before  this 
question  is  put,  are  not  to  change  the  record  of  what  has 
really  occurred,  hut  to  make  the  record  just  and  true. 

Of  a Quorum. — According  to  a Masonic  rule  seven 
constitute  a perfect  Entered  Apprentices’  Lodge,  five  a 
Fellow  Craft  and  three  a Master  Masons’.  Without  this 
number  no  Lodge  can  be  opened  in  either  of  these  degrees. 
In  a Chapter,  nine  Royal  Arch  Masons.  In  a Com- 
mandery  of  Knights  Templars,  nine  Knights. 

Of  the  Debates. — Debates  in  a Masonic  Lodge  must 
be  conducted  to  the  fraternal  principle  of  the  institution. 
Dr.  Oliver  says : “The  strictest  courtesy  shall  be  observed 

during  a debate  in  a Masonic  body.  Good  order  must  be 
kept  by  the  Master.”  It  must  be  remembered  that  the 
object  of  debates  in  a Masonic  Lodge  is  to  elicit  truth  and 
not  to  secure  victory. 


332 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Op  Subsidiary  Motions. — The  only  subsidiary  mo- 
tions that  can  be  entertained  in  a Masonic  Lodge  during 
the  discussion  of  the  main  question  are  the  following: 

1.  To  lie  on  the  table; 

2.  To  postpone  indefinitely; 

3.  To  postpone  to  a day  certain; 

4.  To  commit; 

5.  To  amend. 

The  several  motions  have  precedure  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  above  arranged. 

Of  the  Division  of  ti-ie  Question. — It  is  a well  set- 
tled principle  of  parliamentary  law  that  when  a question 
contains  more  parts  than  one  it  may  be  divided  into  two 
or  more  questions.  Such  is  usually  practiced  in  popular 
assemblies. 

Committees— A committee  in  a Masonic  Lodge  is 
restricted  to  the  consideration  and  investigation  of  the 
proposition  with  which  it  is  charged.  It  has  no  authority 
to  act  upon  or  participate  in  other  matters.  The  purposes 
of  its  appointment  must  be  closely  adhered  to  or  the  object 
sought  to  be  obtained  will  fail. 

Order  of  Business. — 

1.  Opening-  the  Lodge. 

2.  Calling  the  roll  of  officers. 

3.  Reading  minutes  of  last  regular  and  special  communica- 

tions. 

4.  Sickness  and  distress. 

5.  Report  on  petitions  previously  referred. 

6.  Balloting  on  petitions. 

7.  Presenting  and  referring  petitions. 

8.  Reports  of  Committees,  regular  and  special. 

9.  Annual  election  of  officers. 

10.  Unfinished  business. 

11.  New  business. 

12.  Work  (conferring  degrees). 

13.  Reading  minutes  of  present  communications. 

14.  Closing. 


Dr.  Oliver’s  Jurisprudence. 

Mackey’s  Masonic  Law. 

Hatselt  on  Precedents,  p.  140. 

Treatise  on  law  of  Parliament,  Chap.  X.,  p.  283.  (Rules  of  H. 
Reps.) 


Among  the  Colored  People  In  North  America.  333 

Jacob’s  Ladder. — Among  the  many  emblems  used  by 
the  fraternity  as  symbols,  picturing  to  the  mind’s  eye, 
by  appropriate  representation,  the  principles  and  teach- 
ings of  Masonry,  in  order  to  better  illustrate  and  explain 
them,  and  in  the  most  forcible  manner  impress  us  with 
their  real  worth  and  importance,  there  is  none  more  beau- 
tiful or  instructive  than  the  ladder.  It  brings  to  our  view 
the  connecting  link  and  teaches  us  to  look  beyond  this 
temporary  and  transient  existence  to  that  better  world  to 
which  we  are  all  bound,  and  to  the  grand  possibilities 
which  are  in  store  for  the  true  and  faithful  of  earth’s 
children. 


Jacob’s  Ladder. 


In  his  advance  he  first  learns  those  principles  which 
should  mould  and  govern  his  conduct  while  here  below, 
and  which  will  fit  him  for  an  advance  into  the  heavenly 
Lodge.  Grasping  these  in  beauty  and  excellence,  he  is 
next  led  to  a contemplation  of  this  earthly  Lodge  into 
which  he  has  been  admitted,  and  by  allegorical  repre- 
sentations, is  taught  that  it  is  but  a type  of  the  grand  whole, 
embracing  the  entire  universe,  extending  from  the  East  to 
the  West  and  from  between  the  North  and  the  South,  with 
depth  sufficient  to  take  in  all  earth’s  surrounding  and  sor- 
rowing children  who  are  striving  for  improvement,  and 
life  them  up  to  the  highest  heaven ; with  wisdom  to  direct 
them  in  their  upward  course,  strength  to  sustain  them  in 
their  trials  and  temptations,  she  will  at  last  adorn  their 


334 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


brow  with  the  beauty  of  truth  and  purity,  and  true  man- 
hood which  will  fit  them  for  the  highest  Lodge,  to  which 
his  attention  is  now  directed  by  a representation  of  that 
which  is  above,  and  which  forms  the  covering  of  the  whole/ 
Through  his  physical  eyes*  he  sees  the  symbol  of  the 
starry-decked  heavens,  whose  dome  seems  so  high  as  to  be 
beyond  the  reach  of  mortals ; beholding  it  in  its  beauty  and 
grandeur,  his  mind  is  turned  to  its  true  significance,  and 
with  eyes  spiritual  he  sees  the  goal  of  his  ambition,  the 
Supreme  Grand  Lodge,  of  whose  magnificence  he  can  only 
gain  a feeble  and  imperfect  view,  “For  eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  a 
man  to  conceive  the  things  which  the  Lord  hath  prepared 
for  those  who  love  him.”  With  wandering  eyes  he  gazes 
into  those  almost  unknown  realms,  until,  lost  in  doubt 
and  amazement,  his  heart  fails  him  and  he  despairs  of 
ever  attaining  heights  so  sublime,  or  of  being  admitted  to 
dwell  with  those  glorified  ones  who  there  constitute  its 
membership.  But  when  just  ready  to  faint  and  fall  by 
the  wayside,  he,  like  Jacob  of  old,  sees  in  his  vision  the 
connecting  link  between  the  two. 

There  stands  the  ladder,  firm  and  strong,  reaching  from 
the  earthly  to  the  heavenly  Lodge,  which  will  furnish  him 
the  means  of  ascent  to  those  bright  spheres : he  contem- 
plates the  distance  between  the  two  and  the  difficulty  in 
the  way,  but,  being  prepared  by  “temperance”  in  life,  in 
thought  and  in  speech,  he  grasps  the  first  round  and  com- 
mences its  upward  course ; then,  nerved  with  “fortitude” 
to  battle  for  the  right,  and  “prudence”  in  all  his  varied 
relations,  having  for  his  standard  that  “justice”  which 
will  render  to  every  man  his  just  due,  without  distinc- 
tion, he  is  not  only  qualified  but  anxious  to  ascend  still 
higher,  and,  with  “faith”  in  God.  in  his  goodness  and  his 
love,  he  is  filled  with  “hope”  of  a blessed  immortality,  and 
a membership  in  a higher  Lodge,  where  he  will  be  permit- 
ted to  participate  in  those  labors  of  love  which  are  repre- 
sented by  the  last  and  most  important  of  the  rounds  by 
which  he  has  thus  far  ascended — “charity” — which  covers 
the  whole,  and  admits  us  into  the  glorious  assembly  above, 
and  a participation  in  those  grand  schemes  whose  object 
is  to  elevate  humanity,  and  fit  them  for  an  entrance  into 
those  joys  unspeakable. 


Among  the  Colored  People  In  North  America.  335 

Onward  and  upward  has  been  his  advance,  and  in  each 
succeeding  step  has  he  been  taught  the  extent  and 
importance  of  this  earthly  Lodge  and  that  its  true 
mission  is  to  fit  us  not  only  to  act  well  our  part 
here  below,  but  to  prepare  us  for  an  entrance  into 
higher  and  more  exalted  duties,  and  that  whilst  here 
our  progress  may  be  difficult  and  dangerous,  our  path- 
way beset  with  trials  and  temptations,  yet,  having 
overcome  every  obstacle,  and  at  last  arrived  at  the  inner 
door,  we  shall  find  ourselves  in  possession  of  the  pass 
which  will  admit  us  into  full  membership  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  above,  and  a participation  in  its  schemes  of  love 
and  benevolence ; then  we  shall  learn  what  was  repre- 
sented to  the  ancient  patriarch  in  his  vision  on  the  lonely 
plains  of  Arabia — that  this  ladder  also  affords  a ready  and 
sure  means  of  return.  He  saw  angels  not  only  ascend- 
ing but  descending — ascending  to  higher  spheres  with 
messages  of  love  and  truth,  but  descending  on  missions  of 
mercy,  affording  strength  to  the  weary  pilgrim,  and  en- 
abling him  to  successfully  wrestle  with  and  overcome 
.everything  which  impedes  his  progress.  How  few  of 
us  appreciate  this  part  of  its  teachings,  and  realize  the 
probability  of  the  return  of  those  who  have  gone  before, 
and  of  their  labors  in  our  behalf.  In  the  still  watches  of 
the  night  they  are  around  us,  and  would,  were  we  to  heed 
their  monitions,  lead  us  to  live  more  perfect  lives. 

Let  us,  then,  heed  well  the  lesson  taught  by  the  ladder, 
and,  learning  there  the  way  of  ascent,  let  us  not  forget  the 
mission  we  shall  be  called  upon  to  perform,  and  that, 
while  it  affords  a means  of  ascent,  it  at  the  same  time 
shows  a way  of  return,  easy  of  accomplishment ; and  from 
these  lessons  may  we  not  be  led  to  presume  that  our  labors 
of  love,  of  charity,  and  of  benevolence  will  not  there  be 
needed,  nor  can  we  remain  in  idleness,  singing  praises  for 
our  own  deliverance;  but  rather  that  our  work  has  just 
begun,  and  that  it  may  be  a part  of  our  mission  to  return, 
assist  and  elevate  earth's  fainting  children?  Let  us  look 
beyond  the  letter  and  accept  the  spirit  of  all  our  symbols, 
and  thus  be  fitted  as  living  stones  for  that  spiritual  temple, 
that  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 


336 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

ORIGIN  OF  ROYAL  ARCH  MASONS — 1738. 

The  following  brief  history  will  not  perhaps  be  unac- 
ceptable to  the  Craft.  The  'degree  now  known  as  the 
Chapter  Degree,  was  originated  about  the  year  1738,  in’ 
England,  where  it  always  has  been,  and  still  is,  the  fourth 
degree  in  Masonry;  and  in  the  United  States,  where  the 
degree  was  introduced  soon  after  its  adoption  by  seafaring 
men  and  the  Army  Lodges  attached  to  the  British  Army 
in  America.  It  remained  the  fourth  degree  until  near 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  the  degrees  of  Mark  Master 
and  Most  Excellent  Master  having  previously  had  no  place 
in  the  Masonic  system.  The  Royal  Arch  degree,  prior  to 
the  formation  of  Grand  Chapters,  was  worked  under  the 
authority  of  a Blue  Lodge  warrant,  permission  being 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodges  or  Grand  Masters,  it  being 
a principle  of  Masonry  universally  recognized  and  based 
upon  the  soundest  philosophy.  In  symbolic  Masonry,  the 
only  branch  then  existing,  and  in  the  Grand  Lodges,  were 
vested  the  control  and  all  the  powers  of  the  government 
of  Masonry ; or,  as  stated  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodges:  “The  Grand  Lodge  is  the  only  true  and  legitimate 
source  of  Masonic  authority.”  In  it  the  Grand  Lodge 
inhered  the  government  of  the  entire  system  of  Masonry. 

“And  by  great  skill  this  subterranean  way 

Was  rendered  smooth  and  brilliant  as  in  day.” 

In  1740  Brother  Dunckerly,*  the  celebrated  ritualist, 
introduced  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  to  the  Mother  Grand 
Lodge,  and  it  was  adopted,  together  with  a system  of 

^Stevens’  Cyclopedia  of  Fraternities,  1S99. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  337 

subordinate  Chapters.  The  order  soon  spread  all  over 
the  civilized  world.  It  was  brought  to  the  American 
Golonies  by  the  British  Army  Lodges  and  seafaring  men 
who  had  received  it  in  England.  The  first  Charter  to 
open  a Royal  Arch  Chapter  in  America,  was  issued  to 
Provincial  Grand  Master  George  Harris,  in  1757,  to  open 
a Chapter  in  New  York  City.  The  second  Chapter  was 
organized  in  1769,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  was  known 
as  No.  3,  Royal  Arch  Lodge  of  Masons.  The  third  Chapter 
was  St.  Andrew’s  Ro}’al  Arch  Lodge,  organized  in  the 
same  year  in  Boston,  Mass.  In  1779  a Supreme  Royal 
Arch  Chapter  was  organized  in  London,  England.  In 
1813  the  Royal  Arch  was  made  supplementary  to  the 
degree  of  Master  Masons  in  England,  and  is  still  the 
English  Rite. 

Royal  Arch  Masonry  was  introduced  among  colored 
Americans  in  the  following  manner:  In  1774  Passey 

Ben j amine,  Rev.  Peter  Mantore,  Caesar  Worthington  and 
Caesar  Thomas,  from  Martinique,  French  West  Indies; 
James  Forten,  Thomas  Depee,  Robert  Bogle,  Jonathan 
Harding,  Mark  Stevenson,  Nathan  Gray,  William  Jeffers, 
Robert  Barclay,  Peter  Richmond  and  Richard  Nurse, 
natives  of  Hayti,  and  other  seafaring  men,  received  all  the 
degrees  of  Freemasonry,  including  that  of  Knighthood, 
and  certificates  from  St.  George  Lodge,*  No.  32,  Liverpool, 
and  St.  John’s  Lodge,*  No.  80,  London,  England,  where 
they  were  made  Masons.  These  fifteen  Brethren  settled 
in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1776,  and  became  active  and  useful 
citizens.  They  were  well  known  in  the  'community,  and 
were  connected  with  every  movement  that  had  for  its 
object  the  advancement  of  their  race  in  America. 

First  Dispensation'  for  Colored  R.  A.  Masons. — In 
1776,  Ctesar  Thomas,  Freeman  Lattimore,  Sr.,  Peter 
Richmond,  Richard  Parker,  Rev.  Peter  Mantore,  James 
Forten,  William  Harding,  Nathan  Gray,  William  Jeffers, 

hlitchell’s  History  of  Freemasonry. 

Printed  proceedings  of  Grand  Lodge,  England,  1813,  and 
Freemasons'  Calendar.  1902. 

Note. — Lodges  marked  thus  * were  authorized  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  to  confer  the  Royal  Arch  Degrees.  See  Eng- 
lish register,  1774-1902. 


338 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Robert  Barclay,  James  Mintess,  and  others,  obtained  from 
Provincial  Grand  Master  George  Harris  a dispensation  to 
organize  a lodge  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  which  was  granted 
March  18th,  1776.  At  this  time  war  between  the  colonies 
and  Great  Britain  jorevented  them  from  organizing  until 
October  12th,  1820,  when  Union  Chapter  of  Roval  Arch 
Masons  was  established,  with  Caesar  Thomas  High  Priest, 
and  other  officers;  Chapter  No.  3 (white),  of  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  assisting  in  the  work.*  Prior  to  this,  in  1758,  Lodge 
No.  3,  at  Philadelphia,  working  under  warrant  as  Lodge 
No.  359,  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  all  England,  also 
worked  as  a Chapter,  and  conferred  the  Royal  Arc-h 
degree.  On  July  8 th,  1826,  Jerusalem  Chapter  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons  was  organized,  with  Joseph  B. 
Smith,  High  Priest,  and  other  officers.  Friendship 

Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  was  organized  in  1811, 
and  in  the  same  year  a convention  of  the  three  Chapters 
was  called  to  meet  at  Masonic  Hall  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a Grand  Chapter,  which  was  consummated  by 
the  election  of  Com.  Jacob  Jenkins,  Grand  High  Priest, 
and  other  Grand  Officers.  The  title  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
was,  The  First  Independent  African  Grand  Chapter  of 
North  America,  with  headquarters  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
It  is  now  known  under  the  title  of  the  United  Grand 
Chapter  of  Holy  Royal  Arch  Masons  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. From  this  Grand  Chapter  come  all  the  Royal 
Arch  Chapters  in  the  United  States  among  colored 
Americans.  Com.  R.  H.  Gleaves,  Past  Grand  High  Priest, 
working  under  this  Grand  Chapter,  established  the  order 
in  Ohio  early  in  1818,  and  afterwards  in  other  Western 
and  Southern  States.  It  was  established  in  Maryland  in 
1819. 

The  following  distinguished  Companions  have  served  as 
Grand  High  Priests  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  1811  to  1901 : 


* Under  and  by  authority  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  Royal  Arch 
Chapters  were  rapidly  formed  in  all  the  States  and  Territories. 
Royal  Arch  Masonry  among  colored  Masons  descended  from  the 
Grand  Chapter,  London,  Through  Prov.  G.  M.  Geo.  Harris  an<‘ 
Lodge  No.  3 (white). 


Among  the  Colored  People  in' North  America.  339 


Companion,  Jacob  Jenkins, 

“ David  Leary, 

“ David  Waters, 

“ William  Cooper, 

“ Wm.  D.  Cooper, 

“ Wm.  T.  Freeman, 

“ Joshua  D.  Kelly,  , 

“ Peter  Parker, 

“ Jonathan  Lopeman, 
Wm.  E.  Hood, 

“ Moses  Wheeler, 

“ Luke  White,  Sr., 

“ Citizen  G.  Boyer, 

Jas.  R.  S.  Johnson, 
Israel  Purnell, 

Spread 


Companion,  F.  R.  Blasques, 

“ G.  T.  Berry, 

“ Wm.  C.  Butcher, 

“ John  Diton,  Sr., 

“ Isaac  Phillips, 

“ Ales.  R.  Lively, 

“ Jas.  W.  S.  Robinson, 

“ John  Hitchens, 

“ George  W.  Raper, 

“ Moses  Davis. 

“ John  L.  Harkless, 

“ E.  B.  Molson, 

“ Robert  Brady, 

“ Charles  H.  Dorsey. 


of  Royal  Arch  Masonry,  Commanderies  of  Knights 
Templars  and  Scottish  Rite  Councils  in  the  Several 
States  and  Territories  of  the  United  States. 


Royal  Arch.  Knights  Templars.  Scottish  Rite. 


Alabama  

1885 

1886 

Arkansas  

1875 

1876 

1895 

California  

1856 

18S0 

Colorado  

1883 

1884 

1S99 

Connecticut  

18S0 

18S2 

Delaware  

1850 

1868 

1S81 

District  of  Columbia. 

1850 

1855 

18S1 

Florida  

1S81 

1883 

1S99 

Georgia  

1885 

1885 

1885 

Idaho  

Illinois  

1900 

1850 

1865 

1880 

Indiana  

1S50 

1865 

Iowa  

1879 

1879 

Kansas 

1875 

1876 

Kentucky  

1875 

1876 

1895 

Louisiana  

1866 

1S75 

1S95 

Maine  

Maryland  

1849 

1S49 

1865 

Massachusetts  

1856 

1858 

Michigan  

1S70 

1875 

1895 

Minnesota  

1890 

1895 

1895 

Mississippi  

1875 

1880 

18S5 

Missouri 

1870 

1875 

1895 

Montana  

1899 

1900 

1900 

Nebraska  

1885 

1S86 

1895 

Nevada  

1889 

1890 

1895 

New  Hampshire  .... 
New  Jersey 

1853 

1853 

1865 

New  York  

1S50 

1852 

1862 

North  Carolina 

1875 

18S3 

1895 

340  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Royal  Arch. 

Knights  Templars.  Scottish  Rite. 

North  Dakota  . . . . 

. . 1887 

1889 

1895 

Ohio  

. 1849 

1849 

1850 

Oregon.  

. 1899 

1900 

Pennsylvania  

. 1820 

1820 

1850 

Rhode  Island  

, . 1856 

1858 

1865 

South  Carolina  . . . . 

, . 1882 

1883 

1895 

South  Dakota  . . . . 

1895 

Tennessee  

. 1874 

1880 

1898 

Texas  

. 1876 

1883 

1900 

Utah  

Vermont  

Virginia  

. 1865 

1870 

1895 

Washington 

, . 1890 

1895 

1899 

West  Virginia 

. . 1888 

1889 

1899 

Wisconsin  

. 1888 

1889 

1899 

Wyoming  

. 1900 

1901 

Arizona  

. 1900 

1901 

New  Mexico  

. . 1892 

1899 

Oklahoma  

, . 1878 

1899 

1900 

Alaska  

. . 1899 

1900 

Note. — The  above 

table  refers 

to 

organized  bodies,  and  the  in- 

formation  is  taken 

from  the  official 

records  of 

each  State  of  the 

United  States,  under  official  seal 

of  the  Grand 

bodies. 

Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  341 


CHAPTER  XL VIII. 

KNIGHTS  TEMPLARS  AMONG  COLORED  MEN. 

In  the  year  of  1812,  the  Duke  of  Sussex  became  Grand 
Master  of  the  exalted  order  in  England.  He  re-established 
the  Knights  of  St.  John,  Malta,  etc.,  as  late  as  1831,  after 
the  order  had  been  extinct  for  nearly  300  }-ears.  He  con- 
tinued to  act  until  his  decease  in  1843.  It  was  this  Grand 
Master  who  authorized  the  establishment  of  Lodges  of 
Knights  Templars  among  colored  Americans.  In  1818 
he  issued  a deputation  to  Sir  Knight  Passey  Benjamine, 
a seafaring  man,  and  a native  of  the  French  West  Indies, 
authorizing  him  to  establish  the  order  in  the  West  Indies 
and  Xorth  America.  Benjamine,  like  Peter  Ogden,  who 
established  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows  among  colored  men 
in  the  United  States,  was  trading  between  Liverpool  and 
the  States  at  the  time,  and  had  previously  been  made  a 
Mason  in  St.  George’s  Lodge,  Xo.  32,  Liverpool,  England. 
Many  of  his  seafaring  friends  from  the  West  Indies  had 
been  made  Masons  previous  to  their  settling  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  in  the  same  Lodge.  He  called  a meeting  at  the 
house  of  Thomas  Depee  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a Lodge  of  Knights  Templars,  December  27th,  1819-.  At 
this  meeting  were  Rev.  Peter  Mantore,  William  Harding, 
James  Forten,  Thomas  Depee,  Prim  Clover,  William 
Jeffers,  Joseph  B.  Smith,  Passey  Benjamine,  Caesar 
Thomas,  James  Moses  and  Thomas  Henderson.  By  occu- 
cupation  these  brethren  were  all  seafaring  men,  who  had 
received  all  the  degrees  in  Masonry,  including  that  of 
Knights  Templars,  in  London  and  Liverpool,  England. 
At  this  meeting  the  deputation  authorizing  the  establish- 
ment of  Knighthood  in  America  by  His  Royal  Highness, 


342  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

the  Duke  of  Sussex,  was  read,  and  on  June  12th,  1820,  St. 
George  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  Knights  Templars,  was 
established  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  with  Joseph 
Burge  Smith  as  Commander,  and  other  officers. 

On  July  3d,  1826,  Palestine  Commandery,  No.  2,  was 
established,  with  Sir  George  Clark,  Commander;  Sir  James 
Bird,  S.  W. ; Sir  Isaac  Moor,  J.  W. ; Sir  Henry  Beckett, 
Recorder;  Sir  Peter  Joshua,  Captain  General;  Sir  William 
Thompson,  Generalissimo,  and  other  officers.  A warrant 
w7as  issued  by  the  same  authority  to  establish  Richmond 
Encampment,  No.  3,  January  18th,  1838.  It  was  not 
organized,  however,  until  June  8th,  1844,  and  in  the  same 
year  these  three  encampments  met  in  convention  at  Masonic 
Hall,  Lombard  street,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  organized 
the  First  African  Grand  Encampment  of  North  America, 
and  elected  Sir  Thomas  Henderson  Grand  Master;  Sir 
Enos  Hall,  D.  G.  Master  for  the  Northern  States,  and  Sir 
James  Richmond,  D.  G.  Master  for  the  Southern  States: 
Sir  Jonathan  Davis,  Recorder,  and  other  Grand  Officers, 
with  headquarters  in  the  c-ity  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Commanderies  were  rapidly  organized  and  constituted 
in  the  States.  Warrants  were  issued  to  freemen,  notwith- 
standing slavery.  Its  banners  were  unfolded  in  many  of 
the  slave  States  prior  to  1865. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  is  the  mother  of  all  the  higher 
degrees  of  Freemasonry,  and  from  whence  come  all  the 
commanderies  of  Knights  Templars  in  the  States  and 
Territories,  numbering  thousands.  “Non  nobis  Demine'"’ 
is  their  motto,  and  “In  hoc  signo  Vinces”  is  their  legend. 


M.  S.  of  P.  G.  C.  Richard  H.  Gleaves.  Washington,  D.  C. 

M.  S.  of  P.  G.  C.  Henry  Harrison  Gilbert,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
George  W.  Roper,  P.  S.  G.  C.  Supreme  Council  of  Scottish  Rite, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Albert  C.  Stevens,  Cyclopedia  of  Fraternities,  p.  75.  1S99. 
Records  of  the  first  African  Grand  Encampment,  1844. 


Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  343 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

ANCIENT  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  RITE — 1758. 

The  first  council  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  of  Freemasonry  in  the  world  was  organized  at  Paris, 
France,  in  the  year  1758.  Illustrious  Stephen  Morin,  of 
Paris,  France,  was  commissioned  and  empowered  to 
establish  the  Scottish  Rite  in  the  United  States.  The  first 
white  Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  in  the  United  States  of  America  was  organized  at 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  in  May,  1801,  by  Stephen 
Morin,  an  Inspector  General  from  the  Supreme  Council 
at  Paris,  France.  This  Supreme  Council  has  the  southern 
jurisdiction  in  the  United  States.  In  1813  the  Supreme 
Council  of  the  northern  jurisdiction  in  the  United  States 
was  organized  by  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  southern 
jurisdiction.  According  to  the  Masonic  laws,  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  and  the 
Grand  Constitution  of  1762  and  1786,  there  can  only  be 
two  Supreme  Councils  in  the  United  States,  and  one  in 
each  foreign  country,  and  no  Supreme  Council  can  be 
organized  anywhere  in  the  world  unless  it  is  done  by  the 
power  and  authority  from  another  Supreme  Council. 

The  Supreme  Council  of  England  was  organized  bjr  the 
Supreme  Council  of  the  northern  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States  in  the  year  1845,  and  the  Supreme  Council  of 
Canada  was  organized  by  the  Supreme  Council  of  England 
in  the  year  1874.  The  Supreme  Council  of  Scotland  was 
organized  by  the  Supreme  Council  of  France  in  1846. 
The  Supreme  Council  of  Ireland  was  organized  by  the 
Supreme  Council  of  the  southern  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  the  year  1824. 


344  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Colored  Supreme  Councils  in  the  United  States. — 
By  the  authority  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  France,  and 
under  their  direction,  Inspector  General  and  Deputy,  Dr. 
St.  Larine,  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  France,  arrived  in 
the  United  States  in  the  year  1850  at  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
and  conferred  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Eite  degree 
upon  David  Leary,  a prominent  colored  Mason  at  Phila- 
delphia. The  Supreme  Council  of  France  granted  David 
Leary  a patent  of  power  and  authority,  authorizing  and 
directing  him  to  create  inspector  generals  and  establish  a 
Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Eite 
among  the  colored  Masons  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  In  the  year  1850  a constitutional  number  of 
Inspector  Generals  having  been  completed,  King  David's 
Supreme  Council  was  organized  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.  This 
was  the  first  regular  and  legitimate  Supreme  Council  of 
Colored  Scottish  Eite  Masons  in  the  United  States. 

It  is  claimed  that  a Council  was  organized  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  early  in  1820,  by  authority  of  the  Supreme 
Council  of  France.  If  so,  it  lived  but  a short  period. 
David  Leary  Supreme  Council,  United  States  of  America, 
which  has  been  in  existence  ever  since,  holding  regular 
communications  and  conferring  the  Bite  degree  on  proper 
persons,  etc. 

FIRST  OFFICERS. 


David  Leary,  S3. 

Win.  Thompson,  33. 

J.  W.  Warlett,  33. 

Geo.  W.  Hopewell,  33. 
Wm.  H.  Riley,  33. 


James  W.  Henderson,  33. 
Cyrus  G.  Burton,  33. 
Jonathan  Davis,  33. 

Red  Manfasett,  33. 

David  Bowser,  33. 


First  Officers. — In  the  same  year,  111.  David 
Leary,  33°,  was  appointed  and  commissioned  by  the 
Supreme  Council  of  France  to  establish  a Supreme 
Council  of  the  Eite  among  his  people  in  America 
and  elsewhere,  giving  its  warrant  of  authority  duly 
signed  and  sealed.  The  work  of  propagation  started 
anew,  reaching  many  of  the  States  and  the  IVest  Indies. 
In  1856  Illustrious  Edward  M.  Thomas,  33°,  a member  of 
the  Philadelphia  Council  and  resident  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  a prominent  Mason,  petitioned  to  the 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  345 

Mother  Council  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  for  the  several 
degrees  of  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Eite  to  be 
conferred  on  Bros.  John  A.  Gray,  Adolphus  Hall,  Alfred 
Lee,  Henry  H.  Dade,  Joseph  Smallwood  and  John  T. 
Costin,  all  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  to  open  a Supreme 
Council  for  the  District  of  Columbia  and  Southern  Juris- 
diction. This  petition  was  granted  at  a regular  com- 
munication held  in  April,  1856,  and  May  5th,  1856,  was 
set  for  the  organization  of  the  Council  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  On  the  above  date  all  the  petitioners  met  the 
Supreme  Grand  Officer  at  the  Masonic  Temple,  who  pro- 
ceeded to  open  the  Council  for  the  District  of  Columbia, 
etc.,  by  conferring  the  several  degrees  of  the  Eite  on  said 
petitioners,  including  Sov.  Gr.  Ins.  Gen.  and  organizing 
the  several  subordinate  bodies  of  the  Eite. 

Supreme  Officers  present  on  the  above  date  were  Illus- 
trious William  Thompson,  33°,  J.  W.  Warlett,  33°,  George 
W.  Hopewell,  33°,  W.  H.  Eiley,  33°,  J.  W.  Henderson,  33°. 
Cyrus  G.  Burton,  33°,  and  Jonathan  Davis,  M.  D.  Illus- 
trious Edward  M.  Thomas,  33°,  by  authority  granted  by 
the  Mother  Supreme  Council  at  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  opened 
in  ample  form  April  5th,  A.  D.  1869  (the  number  of  In- 
spectors being  complete),  Supreme  Council  for  the  District 
of  Columbia  and  Southern  Jurisdiction,  with  William  H. 
Thomas,  33°,  as  its  first  M.  P.  Sov.  Gr.  Commander,  and 
other  officers.  Brothers  John  A.  Gray,  33°,  Adolphus 
Hall,  33°,  Alfred  Lee,  33°,  Henry  H.  Dade,  33°,  Joseph 
Smallwood,  33°,  John  T.  Costin  and  others. 

111.  T.  A.  Jackson,  who  is  the  present  head  of  the  South- 
ern jurisdiction,  said,  in  his  address  on  the  fiftieth  celebra- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  for  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia, 1898 : “We  have  twenty-three  Lodges  of  Per- 

fection, twenty-one  Chapters  of  Eose  Croix,  twenty-one 
Councils  of  Ivadosh,  and  twenty-one  Consistories ; in  all 
eighty-six  subordinate  bodies,  all  in  a healthy  condition, 
with  exchange  of  grand  representatives  with  the  United  Su- 
preme Council  of  the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  which  is  the 
Mother  Council ; also  with  the  Grand  Orient  and  General 
Council  of  Egypt/’ 

Sketch  of  the  Work  op  III.  Thornton"  A.  Jackson", 
33°. — In  1867  Brother  Thornton  A.  Jackson  was  initiated, 


346  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Thornton  A.  Jackson. 

JI.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander, 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  347 

passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of  Master  Mason 
in  Warren  Lodge,  ISTo.  9,  F.  A.  A.  M.  In  June,  1868,  he 
was  chosen  Senior  Warden  and  in  1869  Worshipful  Master. 
He  organized  Pythagoras  Lodge,  No.  12,  St.  John’s  Boyal 
Arch  Chapter,  and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  Mount 
Calvary  Commandery,  Knights  Templars.  In  1811  he 
received  the  degrees  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Bite 
and  in  1889  was  elected  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander. 

He  opened  the  first  Chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star  or 
Adopted  Bite  in  Washington,  having  received  this  degree 
from  Brother  F.  B.  Case,  a Deputy  of  the  Supreme  Coun- 
cil of  the  Bite,  traveling  under  the  authority  of  the  late 
Bobert  Macoy.  He  established  orders  of  the  Eastern  Star 
also  in  Maryland,  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  He  has 
been  elected  an  honorary  member  of  the  following : United 
Supreme  Council,  33°,  of  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the 
U.  S.  A.,  the  Grand  Orient  of  Egypt,  the  Grand  Orient  of 
Hayti,  and  the  Supreme  Council,  33°,  for  the  Bepublic  of 
Liberia. 

Hoxorary  Members. — The  following  are  honorary 
members:  111.  De  Neceichievich,  33°  and  97°,  Grand 

Master  General  of  the  Orient  and  Grand  Commander  of  the 
Council  General  at  Alexandria,  Egypt ; 111.  Bobert  L.  Bood, 
33°,  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander  of  the  United  Supreme 
Council  of  Northern  Masonic  Jurisdiction,  New  Haven, 
Conn. ; 111.  William  F.  Powell,  33°,  U.  S.  Minister  at  Port- 
An-Prince,  Hayti;  111.  Malilon  Van  Horn,  33°.  Con- 
sul General  U.  S.  at  St.  Thomas,  Danish  West  Indies; 
111.  Bichard  T.  Greer,  33°,  Consul  U.  S.,  Bombay, 
India;  111.  B.  A.  Lentensprels,  33°  and  96°,  Grand 
Bepresentative,  Alexandria,  Egypt;  111.  James  Bobert 
Spurgeon,  33°,  Secretary  U.  S.  Legation,  Monrovia, 
Liberia;  111.  W.  H.  Miller,  33°,  Bepresentative  near 
Grand  See,  United  Supreme  Council,  Northern  Juris- 
diction, at  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  111.  Bichard  H.  Gleaves, 
33°,  Grand  Bepresentative  from  the  Council  General  of 
Egypt,  and  the  United  Supreme  Council,  Northern  Juris- 
honorary  member  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  Egypt  and 
Supreme  Council  of  Northern  Jurisdiction. 

This  Bite  is  meant  to  be  exclusive,  and  it  selects  the 
best  and  the  most  eminent  Masons  for  its  members. 


348  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

111.  J.  D.  Kelley,  of  Pennsylvania,  is  the  present  head  of 
the  Northern  Jurisdiction,  and  111.  William  H.  Miller,  Su- 
preme Grand  Secretary. 

The  Eite  in  New  York. — In  1862,  Baron  de  Bulow', 
33°,  Scottish  Eite,  a citizen  of  France  and  a prominent 
member  of  the  Supreme  Council,  and  the  accredited  repre- 
sentative of  the  white  Supreme  Council  of  the  United 
States  of  America  near  the  Grand  See,  the  Mother  Grand 
Supreme  Council  of  France  and  the  world,  on  his  visit  to 
America  in  1862,  conferred  the  thirty-third  degree  on 
Patrick  II.  Season,  Joseph  Smith,  Eobert  Cowes,  Lemuel 
Griffin,  John  Mitchell,  Eedman  Fassett  and'Daniel  Bowser. 
He  returned  to  France  in  1863.  On  his  second  visit  to 
America  in  1864  he  organized  a Supreme  Council  of  Col- 
ored Americans  who  had  been  created  thirty-third  degree 
Masons  by  himself,  under  a commission  of  Sovereign  Grand 
Inspector  General  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  France. 
Learning  that  the  colored  brother  was  refused  recognition 
by  his  white  brother,  he  obtained  a special  patent  and  or- 
ganized a Supreme  Council  for  the  States,  Territories  and 
dependencies,  with  Patrick  H.  Season,  then  M.  W.  G.  M. 
of  Masons  for  the  State  of  New  York,  as  its  presiding 
officer,  and  in  ample  form  the  officers  were  installed.  He 
shewed  his  sincerity  in  what  he  did.  The  color  of  a man’s 
skin  had  no  influence  with  him,  which  was  verified  by 
creating  his  own  son  and  ten  colored  men  thirty-third 
degree  Masons.  These  two  white  brothers  and  nine  col- 
ored, organized  the  New  York  Council.  Baron  de  Bulow 
devoted  much  of  his  time  in  the  propagation  of  the  Eite 
among  colored  Masons.  He  never  returned  to  France,  but 
died  in  America,  and  the  Craft  generally  deeply  mourned 
his  loss.  His  picture  adorns  the  Lodge  rooms  and  many 
homes  of  Masons  in  America.  There  is  no  doubt  of  the 
organization  of  a Council  of  Scottish  Eite  in  Philadelphia 
in  1820,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Supreme  Council  of 
France,  and  even  white  brothers  have  conferred  the 
thirty-third  degree  on  their  colored  brothers.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  prejudice  in  Pennsylvania  was  almost 
unknown  in  those  days,  as  white  brethren  and  colored  often 
visited  each  other.  (See  the  early  records  of  Lodges  and 
libraries  of  old  Masons.)  It  is  a well  known  fact  that 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  349 

colored  Masons  have  every  degree  that  white  Masons  have, 
from  Entered  Apprentice  to  the  ninety-seventh  degree, 
and  it  is  so  recognized  everywhere  in  the  civilized  world. 
The  warrant*  of  1820,  still  in  existence,  was  properly 
signed  and  sealed. 

In  1866  the  Councils  of  Scottish  Rite  located  in  New 
Orleans,  applied  for  recognition  to  the  Supreme  Council 
of  Louisiana  (white).  The  recognition  was  obtained  and 
the  fact  was  heralded  to  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  world. 
Many  of  the  Masonic  Orient  of  Europe  extended  recogni- 
tion also.  Among  the  first  was  Italy,  presided  over  by 
Garibaldi,  who  returned  the  following  characteristic  letter : 

Monsumano,  June  21,  1S67. 

Beloved  Brothers  : 

I associate  myself  freely  in  soul  witl  your  manly  reso- 
lution adventing  all  colored  brethren  into  your  Lodges. 
He  is  the  Lord  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  as  well  as  of  the 
hysson,  which  grows  best  in  the  deepest  recesses  of  the 
valley. 

The  G.  A.  of  U.  dispenses  light  and  air  to  the  lion  and 
the  lamb,  and  holds  to  each  an  equal  measure;  and  he 
fecundates  the  seed  for  the  ant  as  well  as  for  man. 

Your  great  republic,  the  palladium  of  the  world’s  free- 
dom, ought  not  now  to  falter  in  the  path  of  the  emancipa- 
tion of  all  races,  sanctified,  as  it  has  been,  by  so  much  blood 
and  heroism.  Yours  for  life, 

G.  Garibaldi,  33°. 

Union  of  Supreme  Councils  in  United  States. — The 
Supreme  Councils  were  united  by  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

The  United  Supreme  Council  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Inspectors  General  of  the  thirty-third  and  last  degree  of 
the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Freemasonry 
for  the  Southern  and  Western  Jurisdiction  of  the  Lmited 


Memo's  Henry  Gilbert  and  H.  Gleaves. 

Mss.  of  old  Masons,  1820-1849. 

The  Freemason,  p.  1869;  Library  Congress. 


350 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

States,  having  its  See  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  the  Grand 
Orient,  aforesaid,  duly  and  lawfully  assembled  in  annual 
session  at  Kansas  City,  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  on  the 
16th  and  17th  days  of  October,  1894,  Y.  E.,  do  hereby 
order  and  ordain  the  following : 

Greeting : 

We  do  hereby  make  it  known  unto  you  that  there  are 
only  two  regular  and  legal  Supreme  Councils  of  the  thirty- 
third  and  last  degree  of  the  A.  A.  S.  Hite  of  Freemasonry 
among  colored  Masons  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

One,  with  its  See  at  the  Grand  Orient  of  Philadelphia,  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  presided  over  by  the  111. 
George  W.  Roper,  33°,  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander,  and 
known  by  the  style  of  United  Supreme  Council  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Freemasonry  for  the 
Northern  Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of 
America ; 

The  other,  with  its  See  at  the  Grand  Orient  of  Washing- 
ton, in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  presided  over  bv  the 
111.  Thornton  A.  Jackson,  33°,  96°,  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Com- 
mander, and  known  by  the  style  of  the  United  Supreme 
Council  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the 
thirty-third  and  last  degree  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite  of  Freemasonry  for  the  Southern  and  Western 
Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

These  two  Supreme  Councils  of  the  thirty-third  degree 
are  the  only  true,  lawful  and  legitimate  Supreme  Councils 
among  colored  Masons  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
with  relations  of  correspondence  and  amity  established, 
and  the  appointment  by  each  of  a Grand  Representative 
near  the  other. 

At  one  time  there  existed  in  this  country,  as  late  as  1881, 
five  Supreme  Councils  among  colored  Masons,  all  claim- 
ing the  right  and  authority  to  confer  the  several  degrees 
and  establish  bodies  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite. 

The  Supreme  Council  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
its  Territories  and  Dependencies,  Grand  East  at  New 
York,  and  presided  over  by  111.  Peter  W.  Ray,  33°,  as  its 
M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander,  said  to  have  been  organized 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  35 1 

in  1864  by  one  Baron  A.  Hugo  De  Bulow,  at  one  time  a 
member  of  the  Supreme  Council  of  France. 

The  Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  Jurisdiction, 
Grand  East  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  presided  over  by  111. 
Lemuel  D.  Griffin,  33°,  as  its  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Com- 
mander, was  organized  by  and  under  the  De  Bulow 
authority. 

The  Supreme  Council  for  the  Northern  Jurisdiction, 
Grand  East  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  presided  over  by  111. 
J.  D.  Kelly,  33°,  as  its  M.  P.  Sov.  Grand  Commander,  and 
known  as  King  Frederick  Supreme  Council,  was  duly 
opened  by  the  Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  Juris- 
diction near  this  Grand  East;  Thornton  A.  Jackson, 

On  the  13th  day  of  January,  1881.  several  repre- 
sentatives of  the  aforesaid  five  Supreme  Councils  of  the 
thrity-third  and  last  degree  of  the  Ancient  Accepted 
Scottish  Rite,  all  parties  to  the  last  call,  assembled  in 
Corinthian  Hall,  at  New  York  city,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  the  said  hall  being  the  council  chamber  of  the  Su- 
preme Council  of  the  United  States,  whose  Grand  East  was 
at  New  York. 

There  were  present  the  following  111.  Brethren  of  the 
New  York  Supreme  Council:  Peter  W.  Bay,  33°;  Alex- 

ander C.  Peters,  33°,  John  S.  Chace,  33°,  B.  St.  Gaudens, 
33°  ; S.  B.  Scottron,  33°. 

Of  the  mother  Supreme  Council  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. : 
111.  David  Leary,  33° ; William  II.  Miller,  33°  ; H.  H.  Gil- 
bert, 33°;  James  T.  Robinson,  33°. 

Of  King  Frederick  Supreme  Council  at  Philadelphia, 
Pa.:  111.  J.  D.  Kelly,  33°;  Moses  Wheeler,  33°;  W.  F. 

Powell,  33°;  Alexander  T.  Bowman,  33°. 

Of  the  Baltimore  Supreme  Council:  111.  Lemuel  G. 

Griffin,  33° ; James  A.  Handy,  33°  ; A.  W.  Tancil,  33°  ; 
Hiram  Watty,  33°. 

Of  the  Washington  Supreme  Council : 111.  Thornton  A. 

Jackson,  33°. 

Each  of  the  above  named  representatives  being  fully  in- 
structed and  empowered  to  act,  did  organize  a Council  of 
Deliberation,  with  111.  David  Learv,  33°,  of  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  as  chairman,  and  the  111.  S.  R.  Scottron,  33°,  of  New 
York,  as  secretary. 


352 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


ARTICLES  OF  UNION. 

WHEREAS,  The  representatives  of  the  following  named  Su- 
preme Councils  of  the  A.  A.  S.  Rite  of  Free  Masonry,  claiming 
jurisdiction  in  the  LTnited  States,  viz.:  The  Supreme  Council  for 
the  Southern  and  Western  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  Pav- 
ing its  East  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  the  Southern  Jurisdiction 
having  its  Grand  East  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  the  Supreme 
Council  for  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  and 
known  as  King  Frederick  Supreme  Council,  whose  Grand  East  is 
at  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  and  the  Supreme  Council  for  the  Northern 
Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  whose  Grand  East  is  also  at 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  Commanded  by  111.  Brother 
W.  H.  Cooper,  and  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  United  States  of 
America  and  its  Territories  and  dependencies,  whose  Grand  East 
is  at  New  York  City,  having  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
moting the  welfare  of  our  Masonic  Institutions,  and  knowing  that 
united  and  concurrent  action  between  us  is  the  first  requisite. 

THEREFORE,  Do  we  for  ourselves  and  the  members  of  our 
several  Supreme  Councils  and  all  bodies  under  our  jurisdiction, 
formally  and  solemnly  renounce,  adjudicate  and  transfer  all  digni- 
ties, powers,  and  authorities  claimed  by  us  as  members  of  the 
aforesaid  Supreme  Councils  in  favor  of  two  Supreme  Councils 
hereinafter  described,  and  which  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  meeting 
to  establish,  the  Supreme  Councils  for  the  Northern  United 
States,  the  two  whose  Grand  East  is  at  Philadelphia,  Ta.,  and  the 
one  whose  Grand  East  is  at  New  York  City,  shall  unite  into  one 
Supreme  Council  for  the  Northern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  two  Supreme  Councils,  the  one  whose  Grand  East 
is  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  the  one  whose  Grand  East  is  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  shall  unite  and  form  one  Supreme  Council  for  the 
Southern  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States. 

The  two  Supreme  Councils,  the  one  whose  Grand  East  is  situ- 
ated at  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  the  one  whose  Grand  East  is  situated 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  shall  select  seven  Brethren  each,  (in  all 
fourteen)  and  each  of  the  Supreme  Councils  who  are  to  form  the 
Northern  Jurisdiction,  viz.:  the  two  Councils  at  Philadelphia  and 
the  one  at  New  York,  under  these  articles,  shall  select  five 
Brethren  each  (in  all  fifteen),  all  to  be  Sovereign  Grand  In- 
spectors General  of  the  33d  degree  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  who 
shall  meet  each  party  in  his  own  Jurisdiction  and  organize  Su- 
preme Councils  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  Genera'  of  the 
33d  degree  according  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  constitution  of 
1780  of  our  Order,  they  complying  with  all  the  requirements  of  the 
Order. 

All  other  of  the  111.  Brethren  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  Gen- 
eral who  now  form  a part  of  the  Supreme  Councils  no«  repre- 
sented shall  become  as  soon  as  they  have  taken  the  obligation  of 
submission,  fealty  and  obedience  to  these  Supreme  Council*, 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  353 

honorary  members  thereof  and  shall  retain  the  titles  of  their 
previous  dignities  as  past  officers. 

All  Warrants,  Charters  and  Powers  of  Constitution,  Records, 
etc.,  heretofore  granted  or  made  by  either  of  the  Supreme  Coun- 
cils named  in  Article  1st,  or  by  their  subordinate,  shall  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a committee  of  the  Supreme  Council  having  juris- 
diction for  inspection,  approval  and  endorsement  by  its  seal  and 
the  signature  of  the  proper  officers;  and  all  documents  whatsoever, 
not  receiving  such  seal  and  signature,  are  hereby  declared  null 
and  void  and  of  no  effect. 

We  do  hereby  engage  and  promise  each  and  all  of  us  whose 
names  are  hereto  appended  that  we  will  execute  and  observe  and 
be  governed  by  all  and  each  of  the  Articles  and  clauses  above  con- 
tained and  expressed,  and  that  we  will  never  violate  nor  infringe 
any  of  them  in  any  manner  whatever. 

Signed  in  his  own  hand — - 

For  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  United  States, 

whose  Grand  East  is  at  New  York. 

P.  W.  RAY,  M.D.,  JOHN  S.  CHASE, 

S.  R.  SCOTTRON. 

For  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Southern  Jurisdiction, 
whose  Grand  East  is  at  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Md. 

L.  G.  GRIFFIN,  A.  W.  TANCIL, 

HIRAM  WATTY,  JAS.  A.  HANDY. 

For  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Northern  Jurisdiction, 
whose  Grand  East  is  at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

W.  H.  MILLER,  H.  H.  GILBERT, 

J.  T.  ROBINSON,  DAYID  LEARY. 

For  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Northern  Jurisdiction, 
whose  Grand  East  is  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  known 
as  King  Frederick  Supreme  Council. 

J.  D.  KELLEY,  W.  F.  POWELL, 

MOSES  WHEELER,  A.  T.  BOWMAN. 

For  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Southern  and  Western 
Jurisdiction,  whose  Grand  East  is  the  City  of 
Washington,  D.  C., 

THORNTON  A.  JACKSON. 

Attest:  [L.S.]  S.  R.  SCOTTRON,  33°  G.  S.  G., 

Supreme  Council  for  the  United  States, 
Grand  East  New  York  City. 

New  York,  Jan.  31,  1881. 

In  pursuance  of  the  decrees,  resolutions  and  articles  of 
a convention  of  the  Supreme  Councils,  held  at  the  city  of 


354 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

New  York,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  13th  day  of 
January,  1881,  it  was  agreed  to  form  two  Supreme  Coun- 
cils for  the  United  States  of  America,  and  no  more,  that  is 
to  say  the  three  in  the  North  to  form  one  Supreme  Council 
for  the  Northern  Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  "United  States 
of  North  America,  and  the  two  in  the  South  to  form  one 
Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  Masonic  Jurisdiction 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America. 

On  the  9th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1881,  a union  was  formed 
between  the  mother  Supreme  Council  and  King  Frederick 
Supreme  Council  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  is  known  as 
the  United  Supreme  Council  of  the  Northern  Masonic 
Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Grand  East 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

On  the  27th  day  of  January,  1887,  a union  was  formed 
between  the  Supreme  Council  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  the 
Supreme  Council  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  is  known  as 
the  United  Supreme  Council  for  the  Southern  and  West- 
ern Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
Grand  East  at  Washington,  I).  C.  These  two  united  powers 
are  the  only  lawful  and  regular  Supreme  Councils  of  the 
Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  of  Freemasonry  among 
colored  Masons  in  the  United  States  of  America,  recogniz- 
ing and  proclaiming  the  constitution  of  1786  as  the 
fundamental  law.  They  are  in  close  compact  with  each 
other  and  obligate  themselves  to  maintain  and  defend,  with 
all  their  power,  the  territorial  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

There  may  be  found  in  every  State  and  Territory  of  the 
United  States  Consistories,  Councils  of  Kadosh,  Chapters 
of  Rose  Croix  and  Lodges  of  Perfection,  working  under  the 
two  Supreme  Councils. 

Order  of  Memphis. — Freemasonry,  Rite  of  Memphis, 
Ancient  and  Primitive,  its  parent  the  Rite  of  Mizraim, 
founded  at  Milan,  Italy,  in  1805,  by  Leehangeur.  Joly  and 
Bedaride.  Leehangeur,  on  being  refused  admission  into 
the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  compiled  and  organized  the  Rite  of  Mizraim  in 
opposition  to  the  former.  It  consisted  of  eighty-seven 
degrees  at  first,  later  of  ninety  degrees,  which  included  all 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  355 

the  Scottish  Bite  Degrees  in  existence,  and  others  were  in- 
vented for  the  purpose.  It  reached  France  in  181-i.  The 
Grand  Orient  refused  recognition  to  the  new  comer.  In 
1817  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Bite  of  Mizraim  was  dis- 
solved, but  Lodges  continued  to  exist,  and  finally,  in 
1822,  the  Bite  became  dormant,  yet  it  is  practiced  by  a few 
European  Lodges  and  individuals  in  this  country.  The 
ninety  degrees  were  conferred  in  four  series  and  seventeen 
classes,  the  first  being  symbolic ; second,  philosophic ; third, 
mystical;  fourth,  cabalistic.  Jacques  Etienne  Marconis 
was  initiated  into  the  Bite  of  Mizraim  in  April,  1833,  and 
expelled  therefrom  in  June  following.  In  1839  he  estab- 
lished Lodges  at  Paris,  Marseilles  and  Brussels.  He  added 
one  more  degree,  making  ninety-one,  later  two  others,  and 
afterwards  made  it  ninety-six  degrees,  and  the  ninety- 
seventh  degree  for  the  official  head  of  the  Bite.  It  was 
finally  absorbed  and  shelved  by  the  Grand  Orient  of  France 
in  1862. 

H.  J.  Seymour  of  Hew  York  city  visited  Paris  in  1862 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  commission  to  confer  the  Bite 
of  Memphis  in  America.  This  the  Grand  Orient  refused. 
At  this  time  the  Grand  Orient  made  a treaty  with  Mar- 
conis,  taking  all  the  right  to  confer  the  Bite  of  Memphis 
to  itself.  The  Grand  Orient  issued  a commission  to  H. 
J.  Seymour,  giving  him  the  right  to  confer  three  degrees. 
He  returned  to  Hew  York  and  obtained  from  M.  P.  S.  G. 
Master,  Bobert  Cowes  (colored),  the  rituals  of  all  the  de- 
grees. He  at  once  assumed  the  title  of.  Grand  Master  of 
the  Bite  of  Memphis  for  America,  and  founded  a Sovereign 
Sanctuary  in  Hew  York  city  in  1867.  The  Supreme  Coun- 
cil of  Scottish  Bite  of  England  wrote  to  the  Grand  Orient 
of  France  in  1872,  making  inquiry  as  to  Seymour’s  right. 
The  Grand  Orient  in  reply  said  he  had  received  power  to 
confer  three  symbolic  degrees,  and  on  learning  that  he  was 
conferring  more,  the  Grand  Orient  broke  all  connection 
with  Seymour. 

Gould  said  that  a Chapter  was  organized  in  America  in 
1850  and  1854  in  Hew  York  city.  Bobert  Morris,  in  the 
Freemasons’  Almanac,  January  1,  1865,  states  that  the 


Proceedings  of  Grand  Orient,  1S82. 


356 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Eite  of  Memphis  was  introduced  in  America  November 
6th,  1856,  by  Marconis,  who  established  a Supreme  Council 
of  ninety  degrees  with  John  Mitchell  at  its  head,  and  a Sov- 
ereign Grand  Council  of  ninety-four  degrees,  with  David 
McLellan  as  Grand  Master. 

Order  of  Memphis  Among  Colored  Men. — The  order 
among  colored  Americans. — In  the  year  1836,  Eobert 
Cowes,  a Boyal  Arch  Mason,  was  initiated  in  Milan,  Italy, 
and  later  the  ninety-seventh  degree  was  conferred  on  him 
in  Paris  by  Moullet  and  Marconis  in  1837.  He  received  a 
royal  commission  to  propagate  the  order  among  his  people. 
He  established  several  Lodges  in  the  West  Indies  in  1840, 
and  in  New  York  city  in  1845,  and  November  7th,  1850.  a 
Council  was  organized.  At  tills  meeting  Eobert  Cowes, 
M.  P.  S.  G.  M.,  David  Mitchell,  John  Mitchell  and  David 
McLellan  helped  in  the  organization.  It  is  very  evident 
that  the  Grand  Orient  acknowledged  the  order  of  Mem- 
phis as  a part  of  the  Scottish  Eite,  for  in  1862.  Marconis, 
in  response  to  a circular  sent  out  by  the  Grand  Orient  of 
France  demanded  recognition  of  his  dormant  French 
Lodges,  which  was  granted,  and  thus  all  his  symbolic 
Lodges  became  a part  of -the  Grand  Orient,  and  his  whole 
system  came  under  the  supervision  of  that  grand  bodv. 
According  to  this,  the  right  of  Eobert  Cowes  and  Marconis 
in  the  establishment  of  the  order  in  America  was  con- 
firmed by  the  Grand  Orient,  as  the  order  had  been  estab- 
lished before  Marconis  ceded  anything  to  the  Grand  Orient 
of  France.  In  America,  among  colored  men,  there  had 
been  formed  six  mystic  Temples,  twelve  Councils,  S.  M. 
G.  W.,  twenty-three  Senates  of  H.  P.,  and  forty-one  Chap- 
ters of  E.  C.,  and,  while  not  very  large,  they  are  scat- 
tered throughout  many  States  of  the  Union. 

Arabic  Order. — The  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine,  Thirty-second  Degree  Masons,  was  or- 
ganized June  16th,  1871,  at  114  East  Thirteenth  Street 
New  ATork  City.  The  degrees  were  conferred  on  Edward 
Eddy  and  eight  others.  It  is  a social  and  benevolent 


See  official  records  of  the  Mystic  Temples  and  Chapters.  1845- 
1902. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  357 

society  with  a ritual  and  history  linked  to  Arabic  traditions, 
in  which  Oriental  mysticism,  names,  legends  and  titles  are 
freely  employed.  It  also  has  a secret  purpose  made  known 
c®ly  to  those  who  encircle  the  Mystic  Shrine.  None  except 
Masonic  Ivnights  Templars,  or  those  who  have  attained  the 
thirty-second  degree,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite 
of  Freemasonry,  are  eligible  to  membership.  It  is  not  a 
Masonic  order  and  forms  no  part  of  Freemasonry.  It  is 
independent  in  origin  and  government,  and  is  associated 
with  the  Craft  only  because  it  was  established  by  eminent 
Freemasons  and  because  none  but  Masons  of  high  degree 
may  become  acquainted  with  its  mysteries.  It  was  con- 
ceived and  established  by  Dr.  Walter  M.  Fleming,  a thirty- 
third  degree  Mason,  and  W.  J.  Florence,  a thirty-second  de- 
gree Mason,  both  of  New  York.  Mecca  Temple  A.  A.  0. 
N.  M.  S.,  was  the  first  or  parent  Temple  in  the  United 
States,  instituted  September  26th,  1872.  It  has  now  been 
established  in  many  of  the  States. 

• The  Grand  Council  of  the  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.  of  North 
and  South  America  was  instituted  at  Chicago  July  10th, 
1893,  by  John  G.  Jones  and  others,  who  received  the  de- 
grees from  several  members  of  the  Grand  Council  of 
Arabia,  who  were  in  Chicago  in  attendance  at  the  World’s 
Fair.  These  Shriners  conferred  the  degrees  of  the  order 
upon  a number  of  colored  Americans  and  furnished  them 
with  the  necessary  rituals  and  other  paraphernalia. 

In  1895  a meeting  of  the  Grand  Council  of  the  Ancient 
Accepted  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  North 
Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  North 
and  South  America  was  held  at  Chicago,  since  which  time 
the  order  may  be  found  in  every  State  and  Territory  except 
Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont.  The  officials  of 
this  order  are  some  of  the  most  active  Freemasons  in  the 
United  States.  Among  its  workers  may  be  found  such  dis- 
tinguished Masons  as  John  G.  Jones,  Joseph  H.  Shreve, 
J.  W.  Denmore  and  D.  W.  Dempsey,  of  Illinois;  W.  W. 
Madden,  of  Maryland;  W.  P.  Floyd,  of  Indiana;  D.  F. 
Seville,  of  Washington,  D.  C. ; Thomas  W.  Logan,  of  Mis- 
souri; R.  M.  Shook,  of  Ohio;  Dr.  J.  B.  Stansberry,  Joseph 
S.  Curtis,  Robert  H.  Hurcless,  James  IJ.  Lewis  and  M.  L. 


358 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Hunter,  of  New  York;  J.  F.  Scott,  of  Ontario;  E.  A. 
Williams,  of  Louisiana;  S.  S.  Scott,  of  Colorado;  Thomas 
P.  Mahomet,  of  Nebraska;  J.  P.  Scott,  of  Texas,  and  John 
Coleman,  of  Mississippi. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  359 


CHAPTER  L. 

THE  LODGES  OF  ADOPTION. 

In  the  year  1730  the  French  Masons  founded  the 
Adopted  Rite  or  Ladies’  Degree,  by  framing  ceremonies 
for  their  reception  and  approaching,  as  far  as  was  con- 
sistent (that  is  if  any  such  institution  could  be  consistent) 
with  the  established  rules  to  genuine  Masonry. 

These  Lodges  were  required  to  be  under  the  guardian- 
ship of  some  Masonic  Lodge.  Certain  classes  of  ladies, 
who,  from  their  relationship  by  blood  or  marriage  to 
Master  Masons,  were  entitled  to  membership.  The  ladies 
were  adopted  into  the  Masonic  family,  to  enable  them  to 
express  their  wishes  and  give  satisfactory  evidence  of 
their  claims,  in  a manner  that- no  stranger  to  the  Masonic 
world  could. 

On  June  10th,  1774,  the  Grand  Orient  of  France  is- 
sued an  edict  by  which  it  assumed  the  management  of 
Lodges  of  Adoption,  and  made  rules  and  regulations  for 
their  government.  The  rules  provide  that  no  man  should 
ever  be  permitted  to  attend  the  meetings  except  he  be  a 
Freemason,  having  received  the  Master’s  degree  in  a regular 
Masonic  Lodge.  These  organizations  receive  recognition 
from  regular  Masonic  bodies  in  all  countries.  The  Chap- 
ter, now  so  called,  is  adopted  in  the  family  of  the  fraternity, 
and  its  progress  has  made  it  one  of  the  important  branches. 

Tiie  Eastern  Star. — In  the  year  1868  Robert  Morris,  a 
zealous  Mason,  founded  the  degree  of  the  Eastern  Star,  for 
the  purpose  of  bringing  a stronger  and  more  practical 
means  of  recognition  for  those  who  have  lawful  claims  upon 
the  friendship  and  protection  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
than  had  previously  existed. 


360 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

The  theory  of  the  Eastern  Star  degree  is  based  upon  the 
Holy  Writings. 

Five  eminent  female  characters,  to  wit. : Jephtha’s 
daughter  represents  the  force  of  a vow;  Buth  represents 
devotion,  Esther  represents  fidelity,  Martha  represents 
faith,  Electa  represents  patience.  The  Bite  of  Adoption 
diffuses  the  principle  of  morality,  friendship  and  virtue  and 
aid  in  ameliorating  the  condition  of  the  destitute  widow 
and  helpless  orphan. 

Thus,  through  the  tie  of  association  and  mutual  obliga- 
tion, they,  too,  co-operate  in  the  great  labors  of  Masonry. 

Government  and  Authority. — The  government  of  the 
Bite  is  vested  in  tire  Supreme  Council,  Grand  Chapters  and 
subordinate  Chapters.  The  Supreme  Council,  by  the  in- 
herent authority  of  possession  and  right  of  eminent  domain, 
has  exclusive  power  to  establish  Chapters  of  the  Bite;  to 
establish  a uniform  system  of  work  and  lectures;  has  juris- 
diction over  all  subjects  of  legislation,  and  appellate  powers 
to  hear  and  decide  all  questions  of  law  and  equity  that  may 
be  brought  before  it,  and  to  do  each  and  everything  apper- 
taining to  the  good  and-  perpetuity  of  the  Bite,  in  accord- 
ance with  its  constitution  and  the  landmarks  of  the  order. 

The  Bite  consists  of  the  degrees  of  Eastern  Star,  the 
Queen  of  the  South,  and  the  Amaranth. 

The  elective  officers  of  a Chapter  are  the  Worthy  Patron, 
W.  Matron,  Associate  Matron,  Treasurer,  Secretary,  Con- 
ductress, and  Associate  Conductress,  who  are  elected  by 
ballot  and  installed  on  December  27th — festival  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist.  The  appointed  officers  are  the 
Warder,  Adah,  Buth,  Esther,  Martha,  Electa,  and  the  Sen- 
tinel, who  is  appointed  by  the  Worthy  Matron. 

The  ceremonies  of  this  order  are  very  beautiful  and  its 
morality  unquestionable.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  France 
takes  special  care  and  protects  these  Lodges  of  Adopted 
Bite. 

The  order  soon  extended  throughout  France,  Germany, 
Italy,  Holland,  Bussia  and  the  United  States.  England 
rejected  them  and  still  continues  to  do  so.  However,  they 
flourish  in  all  parts  where  the  order  has  been  established. 
The  first  Grand  Matron  was  the  Duchess  of  Bourbon,  who 
was  installed  in  1775,  with  great  pomp. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  3 6\ 

We  might  fill  pages  were  we  to  mention  all  the  Lodges 
which  were  formed  from  that  period  down  to  the  present 
day.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  they  rapidly  increased  and 
numbered  among  their  members  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished ladies  of  the  world. 


Etat  du  G.  O.  de  France.  T.  I.  Part  IV.,  p.  19. 


362 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  LI. 

DISTINGUISHED  MEN  WHO  ARE  MASONS. 

Many  distinguished  Americans  are  Freemasons.  Out 
of  the  twenty-five  Presidents  of  the  United  States  twenty- 
three  were  claimed  to  be  Masons,  and  all  but  a few  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  were  Free- 
masons. 

■Benjamin  Franklin  identified  himself  with  the  Craft 
early  in  the  seventeenth  century;  also  Jeremy  Gridlev,  At- 
torney General  of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts;  James 
Otis,  Master  for  the  Crown  in  the  Province  of  Massachu- 
setts, who  argued  the  famous  Writs  of  Assistance  in  1761 : 
William  R.  Coxev,  of  the  Senate  in  1706  ; Robert  R.  Living- 
ston, of  New  York,  and  Pevton  Randolph,  who  was  Grand 
Master  of  the  Masons  of  Virginia. 

Washington  and  nearly  all  of  his  Generals  and  other 
high  officials  were  Freemasons.  Such  at  least  was  the  case 
in  respect  to  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  Henry  Lee.  Israel 
Putnam,  Francis  Marion,  Baron  Steuben,  Baron  De  Kalb, 
and  the  Marquis  Lafayette.  (Prince  Hall.)  Joseph  Warren, 
Paul  Revere,  Joseph  Brant  (Thazendanegal),  a Mohawk 
Indian  chief  in  the  British  service  during  the  Revolution- 
ary War;  Nero  Prince,  George  Middleton,  Cyrus  Forbes, 
Boston  Smith,  Rev.  Peter  Mantore,  Rev.  Absalom  Jones 
Thomas  Depee,  Richard  Parker,  Peter  Richmond,  Richard 
Allen,  Bustel  Bawser,  the  first  colored  school  teacher  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1783  ; Caesar  Washington,  Mark  Steven- 
son, Caesar  Benjamin,  John  Marshall.  Chief  Justice  of  the 
United  States  from  1801  to  1835;  Tecumseh,  Chief  of  the 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  363 

Shawnee  Indians  and  formidable  ally  of  the  British  in  the 
War  of  1812;  Josiah  Quincy,  President  of  Harvard  College, 
1820-1840;  Henry  Clay,  Lewis  Cass,  John  Bell,  Stephen 
A.  Douglas,  W.  S.  Hancock,  John  W.  Prout,  Paul  Drayton, 
John  T.  Hilton,  E.  H.  Cleaves,  John  Desales,  Jonathan 
Davis,  Francis  Datcher,  Sr.,  Lewis  Hayden,  W.  H.  Eiley, 

L.  H.  Hood,  George  W.  Wilboam,  J.  A.  Creighton,  James 
Dolphin,  J.  E.  Blackburn,  J.  E.  Barber,  John  Y.  De 
Grasse,  Thomas  W.  Stringer. 

Other  distinguished  Masons  were : George  B.  Mc- 

Clellan, William  H.  English,  Arthur  W.  Sewall,  Edward 

M.  Stanton,  Zaehariah  Chandler,  Benjamin  F.  Tracy, 
Jacob  H.  Bromwell,  E.  A.  Alger,  Anson  Burlingame, 
Marshall  Jewell,  Caleb  Cushing,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Benja- 
min F.  Butler,  John  A.  Logan,  Oliver  P.  Morton,  0.  H. 
Platt,  M.  S.  Quay,  Henry  M.  Teller,  J.  H.  Drummond, 
Albert  Mackay,  Albert  Pike,  Dr.  Oliver,  S.  J.  Bandall, 
W.  H.  Upton,  G.  M.  State  of  Washington ; W.  H.  Miller, 
James  Lewis,  George  H.  White,  Bishop  Wayman,  Bisliop 
Derrick,  Col.  James  Young,  E.  H.  Terrell,  W.  E.  Terry, 
William  H.  Myers,  W.  H.  J.  Malvin,  Eobert  Small,  Wil- 
liam M.  McDonald,  C.  C.  Johnson,  Eobert  Elliott,  John 
M.  Langston,  John  F.  Cook,  Samuel  W.  Clark,  Thomas  C. 
Platt,  James  S.  Sherman,  James  D.  Bic-hardson,  George  M. 
Book,  John  M.  Harlan,  Dr.  Elisha  Iv.  Ivane,  E.  E.  Peary, 
A.  IV.  Greely,  George  W.  Childs,  and  others.  All  the 
above  names  are  men  who  have  become  distinguished  in  pol- 
ities, in  war,  in  the  professions,  and  in  other  walks  of  life. 

Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  July 
4th,  1776. — They  took  the  following  solemn  vow:  “With 

a firm  reliance  on  the  protection  of  Divine  Providence, 
we  mutually  pledge  to  each  other,  our  lives,  our  fortunes, 
and  our  sacred  honor,  for  the  support  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  that  these  United  Colonies  are,  and,  of  right, 
ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  States. 

1.  *John  Hancock  of  Massachusetts. 

2.  *Samuel  Adams  of  Massachusetts. 

3.  *John  Adams  of  Massachusetts. 

4.  *Robert  Treat  Paine  of  Massachusetts. 


364 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

5.  'Elbridge  Gerry  of  Massachusetts. 

6.  *Josiali  Bartlett  of  New  Hampshire. 

7.  'William  Whipple  of  New  Hampshire. 

8.  'Matthew  Thornton  of  New  Hampshire. 

9.  'Stephen  Hopkins  of  Rhode  Island. 

10.  * William  Ellery  of  Rhode  Island. 

11.  *Roger  Sherman  of  Connecticut. 

12.  'Samuel  Huntington  of  Connecticut. 

13.  'William  Williams  of  Connecticut. 

14.  'Oliver  Wolcott  of  Connecticut. 

15.  William  Floyd  of  New  York. 

16.  Francis  Lewis  of  New  York. 

17.  'Philip  Livingston  of  New  York. 

18.  'Lewis  Morris  of  New  York. 

19.  'Richard  Stockton  of  New  Jersey. 

20.  'Francis  Hopkinson  of  New  Jersey. 

21.  'John  Witherspoon  of  New  Jersey. 

22.  'John  Hart  of  New  Jersey. 

23.  'Abraham  Clark  of  New  Jersey. 

24.  'Robei't  Harris  of  Pennsylvania. 

25.  'George  Clymer  of  Pennsylvania. 

26.  'Benjamin  Rush  of  Pennsylvania. 

27.  'James  Smith  of  Pennsylvania. 

28.  'Benjamin  Franklin  of  Pennsylvania. 

29.  'George  Taylor  of  Pennsylvania. 

30.  'John  Morton  of  Pennsylvania. 

31.  'James  Wilson  of  Pennsylvania. 

32.  'George  Ross  of  Pennsylvania. 

33.  'Caesar  Rodney  of  Delaware. 

34.  'George  Read  of  Delaware. 

35.  'Thomas  McKean  of  Delaware. 

36.  'Samuel  Chase  of  Maryland. 

37.  'William  Paca  of  Maryland. 

38.  'Charles  Carroll  of  Maryland. 

39.  'Thomas  Stone  of  Maryland. 

40.  'George  Wythe  of  Virginia. 

41.  'Benjamin  Harrison  of  Virginia. 

42.  'Richard  Henry  Lee  of  Virginia. 

43.  'Thomas  Nelson.  Jr.,  of  Virginia. 

44.  'Thomas  Jefferson  of  Virginia. 

45.  'Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  of  Virginia. 

46.  'Carter  Braxton  of  Virginia. 


Note. — For  further  information  respecting  these  men,  see  Bio- 
graphical Annals,  by  Lanman,  1887,  and  Records  of  Congress 
from  1774-1788. 

Note. — Those  marked  * were  Freemasons.  A portion  of  this 
information  was  kindly  furnished  by  the  Hon.  Jacob  H.  Brom- 
well,  G.S.,  of  Ohio  Masonic  G.  L.,  (white)  the  greatest  Masonic 
Jurist  in  the  United  States,  and  also  one  of  the  leading  members 
of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  365 

47.  *William  Hooper  of  North  Carolina. 

48.  *Joseph  Hewes  of  North  Carolina. 

49.  *John  Penn  of  North  Carolina. 

50.  *Edward  Rutledge  of  South  Carolina. 

51.  Thomas  Lynch,  Jr.,  of  South  Carolina. 

52.  Thomas  Hey  wood,  Jr.,  of  South  Carolina. 

53.  * Arthur  Middleton  of  South  Carolina. 

54.  Button  Gwinnet  of  Georgia. 

55.  *Lyman  Hall  of  Georgia. 

56.  *George  Walton  of  Georgia. 

PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  1789-1902. 

Those  marked  *f  were  Vice-Presidents  and  became  President 
through  the  death  of  the  elected  President. 

Those  marked  * were  Freemasons. 

Electoral  votes 
received  by 
each. 

1.  1789 — *George  Washington  of  Virginia....  69 

1793 — George  Washington  of  Virginia 132 

2.  1797 — *John  Adams  of  Massachusetts 71 

3.  1801 — * Thom  as  Jefferson  of  Virginia 68 

1805 — Thomas  Jefferson  of  Virginia 162 

4.  1809 — * James  Madison  of  Virginia 122 

1813 — James  MadCson  of  Virginia 128 

5.  1817 — *James  Monroe  of  Virginia 183 

1821 — James  Monroe  of  Virginia 231 

6.  1825 — *John  Q.  Adams  of  Massachusetts. . . 84 

7.  1S29 — * Andrew  Jackson  of  Tennessee 178 

1S33 — Andrew  Jackson,  of  Tennessee 219 

8.  1837 — ^Martin  Van  Buren  of  New  York...  170 

9.  1841 — *Wm.  IT.  Harrison  of  Ohio 234 

10.  1841 — *tJohn  Tyler  of  Virginia 234 

11.  1845 — * James  K.  Polk  of  Tennessee 170 

12.  1849 — *Zachary  Taylor  of  Louisiana 163 

13.  1850 — *tMillard  Fillmore  of  New  York 163 

14.  1853  — *Franklin  Pierce  of  New  Hampshire.  254 

15.  1857 — James  Buchanan  of  Pennsylvania....  174 

16.  1861  * Abraham  Lincoln  of  Illinois ISO 

1865 — Abraham  Lincoln  of  Illinois 212 

17.  1865 — *fAndrew  Johnson  of  Tennessee 212 

18.  1869 — Ulysses  S.  Grant  of  Illinois  214 

1873 — Ulysses  S.  Grant  of  Illinois 286 

19.  1877 — *R.  B.  Hayes  of  Ohio 185 

20.  1881 — :;'.Tames  A.  Garfield  of  Ohio 214 

21.  1S81 — *tChester  A.  Arthur  of  New  York...  214 

22.  1885— Grover  Cleveland  of  New  York 219 


366 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Elec.  Totes. 


23.  1889—*  *Benjamin  Harrison  of  Indiana 233 

1893 — Grover  Cleveland  of  New  York 277 

24.  1897—' * William  McKinley  of  Ohio 271 

1901— William  McKinley  of  Ohio 292 

25.  1901— *tTheodore  Roosevelt  of  New  York..  292 


Those  marked  *f  were  Vice-Presidents  and  became  President 
through  the  death  of  the  elected  President. 

Those  marked  * were  Freemasons. 

There  have  been  twenty-five  Vice-Presidents  of  the 
United  States,  of  whom  twenty-one  were  Freemasoins. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
ORDER  OF  SERVICE  AND  STATES,  1789-1902. 

1.  1789 — *John  Adams  of  Massachusetts. 

1793 — John  Adams  of  Massachusetts. 

2.  1797- — *Thomas  Jefferson  of  Virginia. 

3.  1801 — *Aaron  Burr  of  New  York. 

4.  1805 — *fGeorge  Clinton  of  New  Y’ork. 

1809— George  Clinton  of  New  YTork. 

5.  1813 — *fElbridge  Gerry  of  Massachusetts. 

6.  1817 — *Dan'iel  D.  Tompkins  of  New  Y'ork. 

1821 — Daniel  D.  Tompkins  of  New  York. 

7.  1825 — *fJolm  C.  Calhoun  of  South  Carolina. 

1829 — Johu  C.  Calhoun  of  South  Carolina. 

8.  1833 — Martin  Van  Buren  of  New  York. 

9.  1837 — *Richard  M.  Johnson  of  Kentucky. 

10.  1841 — *§John  Tyler  of  Virginia. 

11.  1845 — Geo.  M.  Dallas  of  Pennsylvania. 

12.  1849 — *||Millard  Fillmore  of  New  York. 

13.  1853 — *fWm.  K.  King  of  Alabama. 

14.  1857 — John  C.  Breekenridge  of  Kentucky. 

15.  1861 — ’"Hannibal  Hamlin  of  Maine. 

16.  1865 — ^[Andrew  Johnson  of  Tennessee. 

17.  1869 — *Schuyler  Colfax  of  Indiana. 

18.  1873 — *Henry  Wilson  of  Massachusetts. 

19.  1877 — *William  A.  Wheeler  of  New  York. 


*fDied  in  office. 

*+Resigned  Dec.  2,  1832. 

*§ Became  President  by  death  of  W.  H.  Harrison. 

*||  Became  President  by  death  of  Taylor. 

*i[Became  President  by  death  of  Lincoln. 

Note. — See  American  Almanac  compiled  by  Dr.  Ainsworth  R. 
Spofford,  Librarian  of  Congress,  1S8S,  as  to  names. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  367 

20.  1S81 — **Chester  A.  Arthur  of  New  York. 

21.  1S85 — *Thomas  A.  Hendricks  of  Indiana. 

22.  1889 — Leri  P.  Morton  of  New  York. 

23.  1S93 — *A.  I.  Stevenson  of  Illinois. 

24.  1897 — *|G.  A.  Hobart  of  New  Jersey. 

25.  1901 — ***Theodore  Roosevelt  of  New  York. 


SPEAKERS  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF 
THE  UNITED  STATES. 

1789-1791 — *F.  A.  Muhlenberg  of  Pennsylvania. 

1791-1793 — ^Jonathan  Trumbull  of  Connecticut. 

1793-1795 — *F.  A.  Muhlenberg  of  Pennsylvania. 

1795-1799 — *Jonathan  Dayton  of  New  Jersey. 
fGeo.  Dent  of  Maryland. 

1799-1801 — *Tlieodore  Sedgwick  of  Massachusetts. 

1801-1807 — ^Nathaniel  Mac-on  of  North  Carolina. 

1807-1811 — Joseph  B.  Varnum  of  Massachusetts. 

1811-1814 — *Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky. 

1814- 1815 — Langdon  Cheves  of  South  Carolina. 

1815- 1820 — *Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky. 

1820- 1S21 — *Jokn  W.  Taylor  of  New  York. 

1821- 1823 — Philip  B.  Barbour  of  Virginia. 

1823-1825 — *Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky. 

1825-1827 — *John  W.  Taylor  of  New  York. 

1827-1834 — * Andrew  Stevenson  of  Virginia. 

1834- 1835 — *John  Bell  of  Tennessee. 

1835- 1839 — James  K.  Polk  of  Tennessee. 

1839-1841 — ^Robert  M.  T.  Hunter  of  Virginia. 

1841-1843 — John  White  of  Kentucky. 

1843-1845 — John  W.  Jones  of  Virginia. 

1845-1847 — John  W.  Davis  of  Indiana. 

1847-1S49 — *tRobert  C.  Winthrop  of  Massachusetts. 

1849-1851 — Howell  Cobb  of  Georgia. 

1851-1856 — *Linn  Boyd  of  Kentucky. 

1856- 1857 — ^Nathaniel  P.  Banks  of  Massachusetts. 

1857- 1859— James  L.  Orr  of  South  Carolina. 

1860- 1S6I — *WilIiam  Pennington  of  New  Jersey. 

1861- 1863 — Galusha  A.  Grow  of  Pennsylvania. 

1863-1869 — *Sehuyler  Colfax  of  Indiana. 


*tDied  in  office. 

**Became  President  b3*  death  of  Garfield. 

***Became  President  by  death  of  McKinley. 

Note. — Those  marked  * are  known  to  be  masons.  A portion  of 
the  above  information  was  furnished  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  I..  Stark. 
33d  degree  mason  of  Nebraska  (white),  and  also  the  Representa- 
tive in  Congress  for  a number  of  years  of  the  fourth  district  of  the 
aforesaid  State,  and  other  reliable  sources. 


368  Among:  the  Colored  People  in  North  America. 

1869-1875 — James  G.  Blaine  of  Maine. 

1875- 1876 — *Michael  C.  Kerr  of  Indiana. 

1876- 1881 — Samuel  J.  Randall  of  Pennsylvania. 

1881-1883 — *J.  Warren  Keifer  of  Ohio. 

18S3-1887 — John  G.  Carlisle  of  Kentucky. 

1889-1S91 — John  G.  Carlisle  of  Kentucky. 

1891-1895 — Charles  F.  Crisp  of  Georgia. 

1895-1899 — Thomas  B.  Reed  of  Maine. 

1899-  — *David  Henderson  of  Iowa. 


The  Growth  of  Freemasonry  from  1717  to  1902. — 
Number  of  Freemasons  in  the  world.  This  table  is  com- 
piled from  the  official  Masonic  reports  and  manuscripts. 
The  figures  given  seem  to  be  a fair  representation  of  the 
aggregate  number  of  the  Craft  up  to  December,  1902 : 


THE  GROWTH  OF  FREEMASONRY  FROM  1717  TO  1902. 


England 

Spain  

Cuba  

Porto  Rico  i . . . 

Portugal  

France  

Germany  

Belgium  

Holland 

Luxembourg  

Hungary  

Italy  

Roumania  and  Bulgaria 
Sweden  and  Norway  . . 

Switzerland  

Turkey  

Egypt  

Costa  Rica  

Argentine  Republic  . . . 

Brazil  

Chili 

Mexico  

Russia  

Africa  

Peru  

Uruguay  

Venezuela  

Australia  Independent  . 


Lodges. 

Financial 

Members. 

454,000 

. 583 

2S.300 

83 

3.973 

30 

1.300 

. 220 

11.000 

. 573 

49.800 

. 389 

34.527 

29 

2.550 

. . 195 

15.398 

18 

1.400 

. 155 

14,000 

. . 324 

24.000 

. . 130 

12.400 

. . 145 

23.000 

. . 138 

13.363 

. . 410 

22.500 

. . 412 

20.800 

48 

1.250 

. . 170 

15.000 

. . 340 

24.000 

. . 118 

28.000 

. . 413 

22.535 

. . S28 

14S.722 

. . ISO 

3.054 

52 

2.039 

63 

2.S50 

. . 104 

14  400 

. . 423 

32.000 

Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America,  369 


Scotland  SOO  99,255 

l-eland  481  49,000 

United  States  and  Canada 10,864  808.408 

United  Columbia,  New  Granada,  Greece 180  8,000 

China 881  224,749 

Japan 200  11,128 

Philippines  600  29,874 

Hawaii  28  2,387 

French  West  Indies  200  5,000 

Hayti  218  20.000 


Total  23,275  2,283,912 


Men  Who  Assisted  Me. — In  closing  this  little  volume, 
grateful  acknowledgments  are  rendered  by  the  author  to 
the  following  distinguished  brother  Masons  and  others  for 
the  valuable  manuscripts  and  other  data  contributed : 


Grand  Lodges. 

Grand  Masters. 

Alabama 

Reuben  R.  Mims.  -■ 

Arkansas 

VI.  A.  Clark. 

California 

Edwin  A.  Clark.  -j 

Colorado 

L.  C.  Connell. 

Connecticut 

R L.  Reed. 

Delaware 

T.  E.  Postles. 

District  of  Columbia 

Robert  H.  Terrell. 

Florida 

j" 

J.  H.  Dickerson.  ■{ 

1 

Georgia 

W.  E.  Terry. 

Illinois 

Rufus  Mitchell. 

Indiana  . . 

D W.  Caine. 

Iowa  . . 

■James  Washington 

Kansas . 

Solomon  G Watkins 

Kentucky 

Charles  Steel 

Liberia  

CTO  King 

Louisiana 

Lewis  R.  Price. 

Maryland 

James  H.  Hill. 

Michigan 

Robert  C.  Barnes. 

Minnesota 

H.  B.  Houston.  -j 

Mississippi  

E.  W.  Lampton. 

Grand  Secretaries. 


H.  C.  Binford, 
Jeremiah  Barnes. 
■Joseph  C.  Corbin. 

F.  W.  Jackson, 
Roderigo  Wilkins. 
William  G.  Sprague. 
F.  O.  Cross. 

-J.  H.  Murray. 

Wm.  H.  Myers. 

W.  H.  Chandler, 

E.  I.  Alexander, 

R.  S.  Mitchell, 

M.  J.  Preston. 

S.  C.  Johnson. 
Richard  E.  Moore. 

R F Taylor 

A A.  Bland. 

H H.  Curtis 
W.  Pratt  Annis. 

E.  C.  Johnson. 

T.  J.  Edwards. 
James  H.  Lewis, 

J.  L.  H.  Smith. 
Charles  T.  White. 
Wm.  R.  Morris, 

John  L.  Neal. 

E.  E.  Perkins. 


370 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

MEN  WHO  ASSISTED  ME. 


Grand  Lodges. 

Grand  Masters. 

Grand  Secretaries. 

Missouri 

Joseph  H.  Pelham. 
Joseph  Morgan. 
Edw.  V.  C.  Eato. 
James  H.  Young. 
Geo.  H.  White. 
Hiram  Demun. 

L.  A.  Bell. 

Samuel  W.  Clark. 

A.  R.  Chinn. 

C.  N.  Robinson. 
Benjamin  Myers. 

B.  S.  Stevens, 

E.  R.  Dudey. 

J.  C.  Richards. 

R,  Ernmitt  Stewart. 
W.  H.  Buckner. 
Wm.  H.  MiUer. 

S.  H.  Gilmore. 

E.  J Sawyer. 

J.  A.  Henry, 

J.  H.  Kelly. 

Wm.  M.  McDonald. 
Dr.  H.  L.  Harris. 

I.  W.  Jones, 

D.  B.  Buckner. 

New  Jersey 

New  York 

North  Carolina  . . . -j 
Ontario 

Oklahoma 

Ohio 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode  Island 

John  C.  Barnes. 

C.  C..  Johnson. 

W.  S Thompson.  -J 

J.  W.  McKinney. 

A.  M.  Jones. 

N.  H.  Winters.  -J 

South  Carolina 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Virginia 

West  Virginia 

FROM  STATES  HAYING  NO  GRAND  LODGES. 


Arizona 

Idaho -j 

1 

Montana * 

Nevada 

New  Mexico 

Nebraska  

Oregon 

South  Dakota 

Utah 

Washington  (State) 

Wyoming 

Wisconsin 


J.  H.  C.  Reed. 

W.  H.  Barker. 

J.  H.  Drummond. 

J.  W.  Crump, 
Samuel  Jones, 

F.  T.  Gibbiu, 

G.  W.  Alexander,  | 
D.  Q.  Jackson. 
Roderigo  Wilkinson. 
W.  J.  Slaghter. 

Issac  Trice. 

Abraham  Anderson. 
F.  L.  Gordon. 

W.  W.  Taylor. 

John  A.  Conna. 

•J.  A.  Palmer. 

J.  J.  Miles. 


Phcenix. 

Salt  Lake  City. 
Portland,  Maine. 


Helena. 


Santa  Fe. 
Omaha, 
Portland. 
Fargo. 

Salt  Lake  City. 
Tacoma. 
Cheyenne. 
Milwaukee. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  37  f 


DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


William  Myers.  D.  C. 
Richard  H.  Gleaves,  D.  C. 
W.  L.  Cole,  D.  C. 

John  A.  Gray,  D.  C. 

John  F.  Cook,  D.  C. 

T.  A.  Jackson,  D.  C. 

John  W.  Freeman,  D.  C. 
Wm.  H.  Liverpool,  Ohio. 


Samuel  H.  West,  D.  C. 

W.  H.  Bruce.  D.  C. 

W.  L.  Houston,  D.  C. 

J.  O.  Bampfield,  D.  C. 

Rev.  F.  J.  Grimke,  D.  C. 

Geo.  M.  Webster,  D.  C. 

Hon.  J.  H.  Bromwell,  G.S..  Ohio. 
Hon.  W.  L.  Stark,  Nebraska- 


372 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  LII. 

MASONIC  FORMS,  ETC. — PETITION  TO  OPEN  A NEW  LODGE. 

FORM  NO.  1. 

To  the  M.  W.  G.  M.,  of  F.  A.  A.  Masons  of 

“We  the  undersigned,  being  regularly  registered  Masons  of  the 
Lodge  mentioned  against  our  respective  names,  having  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Craft  at  heart,  are  anxious  to  promote  and  diffuse 
the  genuine  principles  of  the  Art;  and,  for  the  eonvenicney  of 
our  respective  dwellings  and  other  good  reasons,  we  are  desirous 

of  forming  a new  Lodge,  to  be  named 

In  consequence  of  this  desire  we  pray  for  a warrant  of  Constitu- 
tion, empowering  us  to  meet  as  a regular  Lodge  at on 

the of  every  month,  and  there  to  discharge  the  duties 

of  Masonry  in  a constitutional  manner,  according  to  the  forms 
of  the  order  and  the  laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  we  have 
nominated  and  do  recommend  Brother  A.  B.  to  be  the  first 
Master,  Brother  C.  D.  to  be  the  first  Senior  Warden,  and  Brother 
E.  F.  to  be  the  first  Junior  Warden  of  the  said  Lodge.  The 
prayer  of  this  petition  being  granted,  we  promise  strict  obedience 
to  the  commands  of  the  Grand  Master  and  the  laws  and  regula- 
tions of  the  Grand  Lodge.” 

This  petition  must  be  signed  by  seven  regular  Master 
Masons  whose  names  have  been  registered  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  books,  and  the  customary  fee  paid  in  full. 

FORM  NO.  2. 

FORM  OF  CONSENT  AND  RECOMMENDATION. 

Hall  of Lodge,  No. 

A.  L.  5S — 

This  is  to  certify,  that  at  a stated  meeting  of  Lodge, 

No.  — , held  at  the  Lodge  Room  on  the  — day  of  — ■.  A.  L.  5S — , 
a petition  was  presented  addressed  to  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge 
(or  Grand  Master),  signed  by  Bros.,  (here  insert  name  of  peti- 
tioners), and  praying  for  a dispensation  to  establish  a new 
lodge  in  the  town  of  . Whereupon,  on  motion,  it  was  Re- 

solved, (the  vote  being  by  ballot),  that  this  Lodge  recommend 
the  establishment  of  said  proposed  Lodge. 


Among-  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  373 

In  witness  whereof,  I have  subscribed  my  name,  and  caused 
the  seal  of  our  said  Lodge  to  be  affixed. 

W.  M. 

[L.  S.]  Attest:  Secretary. 

The  Lodge  recommending  and  vouching  for  the  peti- 
tioners should  add,  after  the  in  the  foregoing  form,  these 
words : 

“Resolved,  further,  that  this  Lodge  vouches  that  said  peti- 
tioners are  men  of  good  moral  character,  and  are  possessed  of 
the  proper  Masonic  qualification,  being  competent  to  confer  the 
degrees  of  Entered  Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft  and  Master  Mason, 
and  to  conduct  properly  the  business  and  ceremonies  of  a Lodge 
without  assistance  from  others.” 


PETITION  FOR  DEGREES. 

To  the  Worshipful  Master,  Wardens  and  Members  of 

Lodge,  No F.  and  A.  M 

FORM  NO.  3. 

Being  promoted  by  a favorable  opinion  conceived  of  the  Insti- 
tution, unbiased  by  the  improper  solicitation  of  friends,  and  unin- 
fluenced by  mercenary  motives,  I voluntarily  offer  myself  a 
candidate  for  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry,  to  be  conferred  in 
your  Lodge. 

If  elected,  I promise  cheerfully  to  conform  to  all  the  ancient 
usages  and  established  customs  of  the  fraternity. 

I am  by  occupation , Age 

years,  and  without  any  mental  or  physical  defect,  which,  as  I am 
informed,  would  preclude  my  initiation. 

I submit  my  character  to  your  investigation,  and  ask  your 
suffrage  in  my  behalf.  Respectfully, 


Enclosed  find  $ 

Recommended  by  

and 

Members  of Lodge,  No. 


The  undersigned  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  above 
petition,  after  due  consideration,  report  the  same  back  to  the 
Lodge,  and  recommend  that  the  prayer  of  the  petitioner  be 


Committee. 


374 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


FORM  NO.  4. 

PETITION  BY  A MASTER  MASON  FOR  MEMBERSHIP. 


To  the  Worshipful  Master,  Wardens  and  Brethren  of 

Lodge,  No of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons: 

The  petition  of  the  subscriber  respectfully  represents,  that  he 
is  a Master  Mason  in  good  standing,  holding  a regular  dimit  from 

Lodge,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of , 

which  accompanies  this  petition.  He  is  desirous  of  being  ad- 
mitted a member  of  your  Lodge,  No if  found  worthy.  His 

place  of  residence  is  . . . . ; his  age.  . . .years;  his  occupation 

Recommended  by 

A.  B. 


FORM  NO.  5. 


PETITION  FOR  RESTORATION. 


To  the  Worshipful  Mlaster  Wardens  and  Brethren  of  ■ — 
Lodge  No.  , of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons: 

The  petition  of  the  subscriber  respectfully  represents,  that,  on 
the day  of , A.  L.,  5S — , he  was,  by  the  judgment  and  sen- 

tence of  your  said  Lodge,  expelled  (or  indefinitely  suspended,)  (or 
suspended  for  the  term  of....,)  from  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  Masonry  and  from  membership  in  your  Lodge. 

For  the  following  reasons  [here  state  them]  he  prays  to  be 
restored  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  which  he  has  been  de- 
prived by  the  judgment  and  sentence  aforesaid.  If  this  prayer 
shall  be  granted,  he  promises  to  conform  to  the  legal  conditions 
of  his  restoration.  A.  B. 

Masonic  Offenses. — Any  breach  of  Masonic  duty  is  a 
Masonic  offense,  of  which,  on  the  part  of  any  of  its  initiated 
candidates,  or  members,  or  of  any  Mason  residing  within 
its  territorial  jurisdiction,  the  Lodge  is  bound  to  take  cog- 
nizance. 

A Mason  is  obliged  by  his  tenure  to  obey  the  moral 
law;  therefore,  any  violation  of  that  law  is  a Masonic 
offense.  He  is  obliged  to  be  a good  man  and  true ; to  be 
a peaceable  subject  to  the  civil  powers  wherever  he  resides 
or  works ; never  to  be  concerned  in  plots  and  conspiracies 
against  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  nation ; nor  to  behave 
himself  undutifully  to  inferior  magistrates ; to  obey  his 
Masonic  rulers,  supreme  and  subordinate,  in  their  several 
stations;  to  work  honestly;  to  avoid  wrangling  and  quar- 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  375 

reling,  slander  and  backbiting ; to  conform  to  all  the  estab- 
lished usages  and  customs  of  the  fraternity ; and  is  charged 
to  inculcate  the  three  great  duties — to  God,  to  his  neigh- 
bor and  to  himself.  He  is  also  bound  to  the  institution, 
and  to  its  members,  by  certain  specific  obligations.  A vio- 
lation of  any  of  these  duties  or  obligations  is  a Masonic 
offense  and  renders  the  brother  so  violating  liable  to  Ma- 
sonic punishment. 

Masonry  will  not  take  cognizance  of  religious  or  political 
offenses.  Heresy  is  not  a Masonic  crime.  * * * 

Whenever  an  act  done  by  a Mason  is  contrary  to,  or  sub- 
versive of,  the  three  great  duties  which  he  owes  to  God,  his 
neighbor  and  himself,  it  becomes  at  once  a subject  of  Ma- 
sonic investigation,,  and  of  Masonic  punishment.  Be- 
sides these  offenses,  * * * are  unseemly  and  irrev- 

erent conduct  in  the  Lodge ; imprudent  conversation  in  re- 
lation to  Masonry,  in  presence  of  the  uninitiated;  wrang- 
ling, quarreling,  backbiting,  slander ; improper  revela- 
tions, undue  solicitation  for  candidates;  angry  and  over- 
zealous  arguments  in  favor  of  Masonry,  with  its  enemies ; 
every  act  which  tends  to  impair  the  unsullied  purity  of  the 
order;  want  of  reverence  for,  and  obedience  to,  Masonic 
superiors ; the  expression  of  a contemptuous  opinion  of  the 
institution ; all  countenance  of  impostors ; and,  lastly, 
holding  Masonic  communion  with  clandestine  Masons,  or 
visiting  irregular  Lodges. 

Masonic  Punishments  Are. 

1.  Private  reprimand. 

2.  Public  reprimand. 

3.  Definite  suspension. 

4.  Indefinite  suspension. 

5.  Expulsion. 

Charges. 

1.  All  charges  must  be  in  writing  and  signed  by  the 
complainant.  Charges  for  offenses  committed  while  the 
Lodge  is  at  labor  should  be  introduced  by  the  Senior 
Warden. 

2.  Charges  for  offenses  committed  at  any  other  time 
should  be  introduced  by  the  Junior  Warden, 


376  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

3.  Charges  may  be  introduced  by  any  member  of  the 
Lodge. 

4.  All  charges  must  specify,  with  reasonable  certainty, 
the  nature  of  the  offense  alleged,  and  the  time  and  place 
at  which  the  offense  complained  of  was  committed. 

5.  The  charges  must  be  presented  at  a stated  communica- 
tion of  the  Lodge,  or  at  a meeting  called  for  that  purpose. 

6.  A copy  of  the  charges,  attested  by  the  Secretary, 
shall  be  at  once  served,  together  with  a summons,  requir- 
ing the  accused  to  appear  before  the  Lodge  and  answer  the 
charges,  giving  not  less  than  ten  days  to  answer,  which  day 
must  be  specially  called  for  that  purpose. 

7.  On  the  day  mentioned  in  the  summons  the  accused 
shall  answer  the  said  charges  in  writing. 

8.  If  the  accused  shall  deny  the  charges,  a committee  of 
not  less  than  three  members  of  the  Lodge  may  be  appointed 
to  take  the  evidence,  and  report  the  same  to  the  Lodge,  to- 
gether with  their  opinion  as  to  the  guilt  or  innocence  of 
the  accused,  or  the  Lodge  may  proceed  to  take  the  evidence 
and  try  the  cause  in  open  Lodge. 

9.  The  accused  may  object  to  either  or  all  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  the  Master  shall  decided  upon  the  sufficiency  of 
such  objection  without  debate. 

10.  The  witnesses  who  are  Masons  may  be  enforced  by 
summons,  and  testify  on  their  honor  as  Masons.  The  un- 
initiated on  sworn  affidavits.  The  committee,  if  appointed, 
must  make  a written  report,  stating  their  findings  of  fact 
separately,  and  report  a resolution  embodying  their  oninion 
as  to  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  accused,  and  report  to  the 
Lodge  at  a stated  or  specially  called  Lodge.  At  least  five 
days’  written  notice  of  the  intention  to  present  their  report, 
together  with  a copy  of  the  report  of  the  committee,  ex- 
cept the  testimony,  having  been  served  upon  the  accused. 

11.  Upon  the  presentation  of  the  report  the  Lodge  may, 
by  a majority  vote,  accept  the  same,  or  refer  it  back  to  the 
committee  to  take  further  evidence. 

12.  If  the  report  be  accepted,  the  Lodge  shall  proceed 
to  determine,  by  ballot,  the  punishment  to  be  inflicted,  with- 
out debate. 

13.  A ballot  shall  be  taken  in  the  following  order,  until 
the  requisite  number  of  votes  be  given  to  pass  the  sentence : 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  377 

1.  Expulsion. 

2.  Indefinite  suspension. 

3.  Definite  suspension. 

-4.  Public  reprimand. 

5.  Private  reprimand. 

6.  A vote  of  two-thirds  is  necessary  for  expulsion  or  sus- 
pension. A vote  of  a majority  is  necessary  for  reprimand. 

19.  If  the  accused  appear  before  the  Lodge  and  acknowl- 
edge himself  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred,  the  Lodge 
shall  proceed  by  ballot,  without  debate,  to  determine  the 
degree  of  punishment  to  be  inflicted. 

20.  The  accused  may  appear  with  or  without  counsel, 
who  must  be  a Master  Mason,  and  the  counsel  shall  have  the 
right  to  be  present  at  all  the  meetings  of  the  Lodge  and 
of  the  committee  whenever  the  matter  of  his  client  shall  be 
under  consideration.  Appeals  may  be  taken  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  within  thirty  days  after  sentence  or  decision  by 
giving  written  notice  of  appeal  to  the  Lodge.  The  notice 
shall  specify  the  grounds  on  which  the  appellant  relies. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Lodge  shall,  within  twenty  days  after 
the  service  of  a notice  of  appeal  transmit  to  the  Grand 
Secretary  an  attested  copy  of  all  papers  in  the  possession 
of  the  Lodge  relating  to  the  ease.  Xo  new  evidence  shall 
be  heard  upon  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 


Masonic  Funerals. 

1.  Xo  Freemason  can  be  buried  with  the  formalities  of 
the  fraternity  unless  it  be  at  his  own  request  or  that  of 
some  of  his  family,  communicated  to  the  Master  of  the 
Lodge  of  which  he  died  a member. 

2.  Fellow  Crafts  or  Entered  Apprentices  are  not  entitled 
to  these  obsequies. 

3.  The  Master  of  the  Lodge,  having  received  notice  of 
the  death  of  a brother  (the  deceased  having  attained  to  the 
degree  of  Master  Mason),  and  of  his  request  to  be  buried 
with  the  ceremonies  of  the  Craft,  fixes  the  day  and  hour 
for  the  funeral  and  directs  the  Secretary  to  summon  the 
Lodge,  The  procession  is  formed  in  the  following  order : 

Tiler,  with  drawn  sword. 

Stewards,  with  white  rods. 


378  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

Master  Masons. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Senior  and  Junior  Wardens. 

Past  Masters. 

The  Chaplain. 

The  Three  Great  Lights,  on  a cushion  covered  with  black 
cloth  carried  by  the  oldest  member  of  the  Lodge. 

The  Master,  supported  by  two  Deacons,  with  white  rods. 

If  a Past  or  Present  Grand  Master,  Past  or  Present 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  or  Grand  Warden  should  join  the 
procession  of  a private  Lodge,  proper  attention  must  be 
paid  to  them.  They  take  place  after  the  Master  of  the 
Lodge.  Two  Deacons,  with  white  rods,  attend  a Grand 
Warden ; and  when  a Grand  Master  or  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ter is  present,  the  Book  of  Constitution  should  be  borne 
before  him ; a Sword  Bearer  should  follow,  and  the  Dea- 
cons, with  white  rods  on  his  right  and  left. 

All  the  members  to  be  dressed  as  follows : Black  or  dark 

clothes,  high  black  hats,  a black  necktie,  white  gloves,  and 
a white  lambskin  apron,  with  a band  of  black  crape  around 
the  left  arm  above  the  elbow,  and  a sprig  of  evergreen  on 
the  left  breast.  The  Master’s  gavel,  the  Wardens’  col- 
umns, Deacons’  and  Stewards’  rods,  the  Tiler's  sword,  the 
Bible,  the  Book  of  Constitution  and  Marshal’s  baton  should 
be  trimmed  with  black  crape,  neatly  tied  with  white  ribbon. 
All  officers,  grand  or  subordinate,  should  wear  their  official 
jewels. 

Tiie  Funeral  Service. — The  brethren  being  assembled 
at  the  Lodge  room,  or  some  other  convenient  place,  the  pre- 
siding officer  will  open  the  Lodge  on  the  third  degree 
After  having  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  the  service 
will  commence — all  the  brethren  standing. 

Master. — Man  that  is  born  of  a woman  hath  but  a short 
time  to  live,  and  is  full  of  misery.  He  cometh  up,  and  is 
cut  down  like  a flower;  he  fleeth  as  it  were  a shadow,  and 
never  continueth  in  one  stay.  In  the  midst  of  life  we  are 
in  death.  Of  whom,  then,  may  we  seek  for  succor,  but  of 
Thee,  0 Lord,  who  for  our  sins  art  justly  displeased? 

My  brethren,  where  is  the  man  that  liveth  that  shall  not 
see  death  ? 

Response  by  the  Brethren. — Man  walketh  in  a vain 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America*  379 

shadow:  he  heapeth  up  riches,  and  cannot  tell  who  shall 
gather  them. 

Master. — Where-  is  now  our  departed  brother  ? 

Response. — He  dwelleth  in  night.  He  sojourneth  in 
darkness. 

Master. — Can  we  offer  any  precious  thing  to  redeem  our 
brother  ? 

Response. — We  have  not  the  ransom.  The  place  that 
once  knew  him  shall  know  him  no  more  forever. 

Master. — Shall  his  name  be  lost  upon  the  earth? 

Response. — We  will  treasure  it  in  our  memories;  we 
will  record  it  in  our  hearts. 

Master. — How.  then,  will  it  be  known  ? 

Response. — It  shall  live  in  the  exercise  of  his  virtues. 

Master.— When  our  brother  died  did  he  carry  nothing 
away  with  him  ? 

Response. — He  fulfilled  his  destiny  : naked  came  he  into 
the  world  and  naked  he  has  departed  out  of  it. 

Master. — Hear,  then,  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  mat- 
ter. It  is  the  Lord  only  that  can  give,  and  it  is  the  Lord 
that  hath  taken  away. 

Response. — Blessed,  forever,  be  the  name  o.f  the  Lord. 

Master. — Let  us  endeavor  to  live  the  life  of  the  right- 
eous, that  our  last  end  may  be  like  his. 

Response.— God  is  our  God  forever  and  ever.  He  will 
be  our  guide  and  our  support,  even  through  the  dark  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death. 

Master. — I heard  a voice  from  Heaven,  saying  unto  me : 
“Write,  from  henceforth,  blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in 
the  Lord : even  so,  saith  the  Spirit,  for  they  rest  from  their 
labors.” 

The  Master  here  takes  the  roll  on  which  is  inscribed  the 
name  and  age  of  the  deceased,  and  says : 

Almighty  Father!  in  thy  hands  we  leave,  with  humble 
submission,  the  soul  of  our  departed  brother. 

The  brethren  will  answer  three  times,  giving  the  grand 
honors  each  time. 

The  will  of  God  is  accomplished.  So  mote  it  be. 

The  Master  here  deposits  the  roll,  and  repeats  the  follow- 
ing or  some  other  suitable  prayer: 

Most  glorious  and  merciful  Lord  God,  author  of  all  good 


380 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

and  giver  of  ever)'  perfect  gift,  pour  down,  we  implore  thee, 
thy  blessing  upon  us;  and  under  the  deep  solemnities  of  this 
occasion,  bind  us  yet  closer  together  in  the  ties  of  brotherly 
love  and  affection.  May  the  present  instance  of  mortality 
sensibly  remind  us  of  our  approaching  fate,  and  may  it  have 
an  influence  to  wean  our  affections  from  the  things  of  this 
transitory  world  and  to  fix  them  more  devotedly  upon 
thee,  the  only  sure  refuge  in  time  of  need. 

And  at  last,  Great  Parent  of  the  Universe,  when  our 
journey  shall  be  near  its  end,  when  the  silver  cord  shall  be 
loosed,  and  the  golden  bowl  be  broken,  oh,  in  that  mo- 
ment of  mortal  extremity,  may  the  lamp  of  thy  love  dis- 
pel the  gloom  of  the  dark  valley ; and  may  we  be  enabled  to 
work  an  entrance  into  the  Celestial  Lodge  above,  and  in 
thy  glorious  presence,  amidst  its  ineffable  mysteries,  enjoy 
a union  with  the  souls  of  our  departed  friends,  perfect  as 
is  the  happiness  of  heaven,  and  durable  as  is  the  Eternity 
of  God.  Amen. 

The  above  ceremonies  may  be  performed  either  at  the 
Lodge,  the  house  of  the  deceased,  or  in  the  church  edifice, 
if  the  corpse  be  taken  there,  and  religious  services  be  per- 
formed. If  at  the  house  of  the  deceased,  the  Master  will 
take  his  station  at  the  head  of  the  coffin,  which  will  be  un- 
covered,  the  Wardens  at  the  foot,  and  the  brethren  around 
it,  and  commence  as  above  prescribed.  At  the  conclusion, 
the  coffin  will  be  closed.  If  in  the  church,  immediately 
after  the  benediction  the  Master,  Wardens  and  brethren 
will  place  themselves  as  above  directed,  when  the  cere- 
monies will  be  commenced. 

A procession  will  then  be  again  formed,  and  march  to  the 
place  of  interment  in  the  order  prescribed.  The  members 
of  the  Lodge  will  form  a circle  round  the  grave.  The 
clergy  and  officers  will  take  their  station  at  the  head  and 
the  mourners  at  the  foot,  when  the  services  will  be  re- 
sumed by  the  Master  as  follows : 

“The  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  me.  and  carried  me  out 
in  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  and  set  me  down  in  the  midst  of 
the  valley,  which  was  full  of  bones. 

“And  caused  me  to  pass  by  them  round  about ; and  be- 
hold, there  were  very  many  in  the  open  valley ; and  lo ! 
they  were  very  dry. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  38  \ 

“And  he  said  unto  me.  ‘Son  of  Man,  can  these  bones 
live?’  And  I answered,  ‘0,  Lord,  God,  thou  knowest.’ 

“Again,  He  said  unto  me,  prophesy  unto  these  bones, 
and  say  unto  them,  Oh,  ye  dry  bones,  hear  the  words  of 
the  Lord. 

“Thus  said  the  Lord  God  unto  these  bones:  ‘Behold,  I 
will  cause  breath  to  come  into  you,  and  ye  shall  lived 

“ ‘And  I will  lay  sinews  upon  you,  and  will  bring  up  flesh 
upon  you  and  cover  you  with  skin,  and  put  breath  into 
you,  and  ye  shall  live,  and  ye  shall  know  that  I am  the 
Lord.’ 

“So  I prophesied  as  I was  commanded ; and  as  I prophe- 
sied, there  was  a noise,  and  behold,  a shaking,  and  the 
bones  came  together,  bone  to  his  bone. 

“And  when  I beheld,  lo ! the  sinews  and  the  flesh  came 
upon  them,  and  the  skin  covered  them ; but  there  was  no 
breath  in  them. 

“Then  said  He  unto  me,  prophesy  unto  the  wind ; 
prophesy,  Son  of  Man,  and  say  to  the  wind,  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  come  from  the  four  winds,  0 breath,  and 
breathe  upon  these  slain,  that  they  may  live. 

“So  I prophesied  as  he  commanded  me,  and  the  breath 
came  into  them,  and  they  lived,  and  stood  upon  their 
feet.” 

By  Brethren : We  are  again  called  upon  by  the  most 
solemn  admonition  to  regard  the  uncertainty  of  human 
life,  the  immutable  certainty  of  death,  and  the  vanity 
of  all  earthly  pursuits.  Decrepitude  and  decay  are 
written  on  every  living  thing.  The  cradle  and  the 
coffin  stand  in  juxtaposition  to  each  other;  and  it  is  a 
melancholy  truth,  that  so  soon  as  we  begin  to  live,  that 
moment  we  begin  to  die.  Weakness  and  imperfection  are 
the  incidents  of  our  fallen  condition;  the  damp,  dark 
grave  is  our  destiny  and  our  doom.  What  an  eloquent 
commentary  is  here  exhibited  upon  the  instability  of 
every  human  pursuit;  and  how  touchingly  does,  it  epho 
the  sad  sentiments  of  the  great  preacher,  who  wrtflp  for 
our  perpetual  warning  the  immortal  text,  “Vanity'  of  van- 
ities, all  is  vanity.” 

The  last  offices  that  we  pay  to  the  dead  are  useless 
things,  except  as  they  constitute  lessons  to  the  living.  The 


382  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

cold,  marble  form  enclosed  in  the  “narrow  house”  before 
you,  is  alike  insensible  to  our  sorrows  and  our  ceremonies. 
It  matters  not  now  to  him,  whether  two  or  three  gather 
around  the  grave  to  perform  his  funeral  ritual,  or  that 
hundreds  have  assembled,  with  the  banners  and  insignia 
of  our  order,  to  deposit  him  in  his  final  resting  place. 
It  is  of  little  moment  how,  or  in  what  manner,  his 
obsequies  are  performed ; whether  the  wild  winds  chant 
his  requiem,  or  it  be  accompanied  with  rare  and  costly 
music,  and  the  minstrelsy  of  many  voices.  He  has  gone 
to  accomplish  the  fearful  destiny  of  all  our  race,  and  his 
body,  in  the  profound  slumber  of  the  grave,  to  be  resolved 
into  its  original  elements. 

What,  then,  are  all  the  externals  of  human  dignity,  the 
power  of  wealth,  the  dreams  of  ambition,  the  pride  of 
intellect,  or  the  charms  of  beauty,  when  nature  has  paid 
her  just  debt?  Fix  your  eyes  on  the  last  sad  scene,  and 
view  humanity  stript  of  its  dazzling,  meretricious  orna- 
ments, and  you  must  needs  be  persuaded  of  the  utter 
emptiness  of  these  delusions.  The  monarch  of  a hundred 
providences,  at  whose  bidding  nations  pay  obedience,  and 
the  poor  beggar  that  shivers  upon  the  dunghill,  are  equals 
in  the  house  of  death.  The  one  is  obliged  to  part  with 
his  scepter  and  his  crown — the  other  has  no  further  use 
for  his  wallet  and  his  rags — and  both  are  indebted  to  their 
Mother  Earth  for  a common  sepulchre.  In  the  grave  all 
fallacies  are  detected,  all  ranks  are  levelled,  and  all  dis- 
tinctions are  done  away. 

While  we  drop  the  sympathetic  tear  over  the  grave  of 
our  departed  brother,  let  us  cast  around  his  foibles,  what- 
ever they  may  have  been,  the  broad  mantle  of  a Mason’s 
charity,  nor  withhold  from  his  memory  the  commendation 
that  his  virtues  claim  at  our  hands.  It  is  on  record  in  the 
volume  of  Eternal  Truth  that  perfection  on  earth  can  never 
be  attained.  The  best  of  created  nien  did  most  grievously 
err,  and  the  wisest  of  our  race  went  sadly  astray.  Suffer, 
then,  the  apology  of  human  nature  to  plead,  on  behalf  of 
him  who  cannot  any  longer  extenuate  for  himself. 

The  following  invocations  are  then  made : 

Master. — May  we  be  true  and  faithful  to  each  other, 
and  may  we  live  and  die  in  love. 


Among1  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  383 

Response. — So  mote  it  be. 

Master. — May  we  profess  what  is  good,  and  always  act 
agreeably  to  our  profession. 

Response. — So  mote  it  be. 

Master.— May  the  Lord  bless  us  and  keep  us ; may  the 
Lord  be  gracious  unto  us,  and  may  all  our  good  intentions 
be  crowned  with  success. 

Response. — So  mote  it  be. 

Master. — Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest ; on  earth  peace 
— good  will  towards  men. 

Response. — So  mote  it  be;  now,  henceforth,  and  for- 
ever. Amen. 

The  service  is  then  resumed  by  the  Master  as  follows : 

I am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the  Lord;  he 
that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live ; 
and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die. 

Here  the  apron  is  taken  from  the  coffin  and  handed  to  the 
Master,  and  the  corpse  is  made  ready  to  be  laid  in  the 
earth,  when  the  service  is  resumed. 

Forasmuch  as  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  his  wise 
Providence,  to  take  out  of  the  world  the  soul  of  our  de- 
ceased brother,  we,  therefore,  commit  his  body  to  the 
ground.  [Here  deposit  the  coffin.]  Earth  to  earth,  ashes  to 
ashes,  dust  to  dust ; looking  for  the  general  resurrection  in 
the  last  day  when  the  earth  and  the  sea  shall  give  up  their 
dead. 

The  Secretary  will  then  advance  and  deposit  the  roll  in 
the  grave  with  the  usual  forms. 

Master. — Friend  and  brother,  we  bid  thee  a last,  a long 
farewell ! Thou  art  at  rest  from  thy  labors ; may  it  be 
in  peace ! 

Response. — So  mote  it  be.  Amen. 

If  circumstances  will  permit,  it  will  be  proper  at  this 
stage  of  the  proceedings  to  sing  the  following  or  some 
other  appropriate  hymn ; or  it  may  be  repeated  by  the 
Master,  or  omitted  entirely,  as  shall  be  considered  best. 

HYMN. 

Thou  art  gone  to  the  grave,  but  we  will  not  deplore  thee, 

Though  sorrow  and  darkness  encompass  the  tomb; 

The  Saviour  has  passed  through  its  portals  before  thee, 

And  the  lamp  of  his  love  is  thy  guide  through  the  gloom. 


384 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


Thou  art  gone  to  the  grave,  we  no  longer  behold  thee, 

Nor  tread  the  rough  path  of  the  world  by  thy  side; 

But  the  wide  arms  of  mercy  were  spread  to  enfold  thee, 

For  all  men  may  hope  since  the  Sinless  has  died. 

Thou  art  gone  to  the  grave,  but  ’twere  wrong  to  deplore  thee, 

When  God  was  thy  ransom,  thy  guardian  and  guide; 

He  gave  thee,  and  took  thee,  and  soon  will  restore  thee, 

Where  death  has  no  sting  since  the  Saviour  has  died. 

The  service  is  then  resumed  by  the  Master,  who,  pre- 
senting the  apron,  says : 

The  Lamb  Skin,  or  White  Apron,  is  an  emblem  of  In- 
nocence, and  the  badge  of  a Mason.  It  is  more  ancient 
than  the  Golden  Fleece  or  Eoman  Eagle,  more  honorable 
than  the  Star  and  Garter. 

The  Master  then  deposits  it  in  the  grave. 

This  emblem  I now  deposit  in  the  grave  of  our  deceased 
brother.  By  this  we  are  reminded  of  the  universal  domi- 
nation of  Death.  The  arm  of  friendship  cannot  interpose 
to  prevent  his  'Coming;  the  wealth  of  the  world  cannot  pur- 
chase our  release;  nor  will  the  innocence  of  youth  or  the 
charms  of  beauty  propitiate  his  purpose.  The  mattock, 
the  coffin  and  the  melancholy  grave  admonish  us  of  our 
mortality,  and  that,  sooner  or  later,  these  frail,  weak  bodies 
must  moulder  in  their  parent  dust. 

The  Master,  holding  the  Evergreen  in  his  hand,  con- 
tinues : 

This  Evergreen  is  an  emblem  of  our  faith  in  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul.  By  this  we  are  reminded  of  our 
high  and  glorious  destiny  beyond  the  world  of  shadows, 
and  that  there  dwells  within  our  tabernacle  of  clay  an 
imperishable  immortal  spirit  over  which  the  grave  has  no 
dominion  and  death  no  power. 

The  brethren  will  now  move  in  procession  round  the 
place  of  interment,  and  severally  drop  the  sprig  of  ever- 
green in  the  grave ; after  which  the  public  grand  honors  are 
given.  The  Master  then  continues  the  ceremony  in  the 
following  words ; 

From  time  immemorial  it  has  been  the  custom  among 
the  fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  the  request 
of  a brother,  to  accompany  his  corpse,  to  the  place  of  inter- 
ment, there  to  deposit  it  with  the  usual  formalities.  In 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


385 


conformity  to  this  ancient  usage,  ancl  at  the  request  of  our 
deceased  brother,  we  have  assembled  at  this  time,  in  the 
character  of  Masons,  to  offer  up  before  the  world  the  last 
tribute  of  our  affection,  and  thereby  to  demonstrate  in 
the  strongest  possible  manner  the  sincerity  of  our  past 
esteem  for  him  and  our  steady  attachment  to  the  principles 
of  the  order. 

To  those  of  his  immediate  relatives  and  friends  who  are 
most  heartstricken  at  the  loss  we  have  all  sustained,  we 
have  nothing  of  this  world’s  consolation  to  offer.  We  can 
only  sincerely,  deeply,  and  most  affectionately  sympathize 
with  them  in  their  afflictive  bereavement,  but,  in  the 
beautiful  spirit  of  the  Christian’s  theology,  we  dare  to  say 
that  He  who  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb  looks  down 
with  infinite  compassion  upon  the  widow  and  fatherless  in 
the  hour  of  their  desolation ; and  that  the  same  benevolent 
Saviour,  who  wept  while  here  on  earth,  will  fold  the  arms 
of  His  love  and  protection  around  those  who  put  their  trust 
and  confidence  in  Him. 

Then  let  us  each,  in  our  respective  spheres,  so  improve 
this  solemn  warning  of  our  God  that  at  last,  when  the 
sheeted  dead  are  stirring,  when  the  great  white  throne 
is  set,  and  the  volume  of  the  record  of  our  lives  is  opened, 
we  may  receive  from  the  Omniscient,  Eternal  Judge  the 
thrilling  invitation,  “Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from-  the  foundation 
of  the  world.” 

The  service  is  concluded  with  the  following  or  some  other 
suitable  prayer : 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  God,  in  whom  we  live  and 
move  knd  have  our  being,  and  before  whom  all  men  must 
appear  to  render  an  account  for  the  deeds  done  in  the  body, 
we  do  most  earnestly  beseech  thee,  as  we  now  surround  the 
grave  of  our  fallen  brother,  to  impress  deeply  upon  our 
minds  the  solemnities  of  this  day.  May  we  ever  remember 
that  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death,  and  so  live  and  act 
our  several  parts  as  we  will  desire  to  have  done  when  the 
hour  of  our  departure  is  at  hand. 

And  oh!  Gracious  Father,  vouchsafe  us,  we  pray  thee, 
thy  divine  assistance,  to  redeem  our  misspent  time ; and 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  thou  hast  assigned  us, 


386  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

in  the  erection  of  our  moral  edifice,  may  we  have  wisdom 
from  on  high  to  direct  us;  strength  commensurate  with 
our  task  to  support  us,  and  the  beauty  of  holiness  to  adorn 
and  render  all  our  performances  acceptable  in  thy  sight. 
And  at  last,  when  our  work  on  earth  is  done,  when  the 
mallet  of  death  shall  call  us  from  our  labors,  may  we 
obtain  a blessed  and  everlasting  rest  in  that  Spiritual 
House,  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

So  mote  it  be.  Amen. 

The  procession  will  then  return  to  the  place  whence  it 
set  out,  where  the  necessary  duties  are  complied  with,  and 
the  Lodge  is  closed  in  the  third  degree. 

FUNERAL  DIRGE. 

“Solemn,  strikes  the  funeral  chime, 

Notes  of  our  departing  time; 

As  we  journey  here  below. 

Through  a pilgrimage  of  wo! 

“Mortals  now  indulge  a tear, 

For  mortality  is  near! 

See  how  wide  her  trophies  ware 
O'er  the  slumbers  of  the  grave! 

“Here  another  guest  we  bring, 

Seraphs  of  celestial  wing, 

To  our  funeral  altar  come. 

Waft  this  Friend  and  Brother  home. 

“Lord  of  all!  below — above — 

Fill  our  hearts  with  Truth  and  Love; 

When  dissolves  our  earthly  tie, 

Take  us  to  thy  Lodge  on  high.” 


Masonic  Calendar. — Lules  for  discovering  the  different 
dates : 

1.  To  find  the  date  for  the  Ancient  and  Accepted  Kite, 
add  3.7G0  to  the  present  year. 

2.  To  find  the  date  for  the  York  Kite,  add  TOO  to  the 
present  year. 

3.  To  find  the  date  of  the  Royal  Arch,  add  530  to  the 
present  year. 

4.  To  find  the  date  for  the  Royal  and  Select  Masters, 
add  1,000  to  the  present  year. 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  387 

5.  To  find  the  date  for  the  Knights  Templars,  subtract 
1,118  from  the  present  year. 

6.  To  find  the  date  of  the  Eite  of  Miriam,  add  4,00-4  to 
the  present  year. 


388 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


CHAPTER  LIII. 

GROWTH  AND  WEALTH  OF  THE  NEGRO  IN  AHERICA. 

For  many  years  I have  looked  forward  to  the  time  when 
some  writer  would  give  to  the  world  a clear  and  concise 
history  of  the  achievements  and  progress  of  the  negro 
since  the  emancipation. 

The  statistics  and  facts  relative  to  the  moral,  mental 
and  material  progress  of  the  race  during  the  past  thirty- 
seven  years  are  almost  unprecedented  in  the  world's  his- 
tory— particularly  when  we  call  to  mind  that  it  has  been 
done  in  the  face  of  bitter  and  determined  opposition. 
This  alone  would  have  caused  any  race  not  gifted  with 
an  indomitable  will  power  to  fall  by  the  way  and  cease 
further  labors.  Not  so  with  intelligent,  persevering 
negroes,  who  me  determined  that  naught  shall  forego  the 
purpose  which  they  have  resolved  to  effect.  Persecution 
will  only  make  them  rise  into  greater  vigor  and  with  daunt- 
less hope  still  bear  up  and  press  right  onward. 

“Stick  to  your  aim ; the  mongrel’s  hold  will  slip, 

But  only  crowbars  loose  the  bulldog’s  grip ; 

Small  as  he  looks,  the  jaw  that  never  yields, 

Drags  down  the  bellowing  monarch  of  the  fields.” 

They  have  not  stopped  to  think  of  the  slow  process  by 
which  all  lofty  heights  in  this  world’s  path  are  reached, 
nor  the  many  difficulties  to  be  passed  through  before  the 
goal  is  in  view.  A battle  with  one’s  self  is  required  and 
it  must  be  done — “fortune,  success  and  position  are  gained 
by  piously,  determinedly,  bravely  striking,  growing  and 
living  to  a thing.”  In  the  battle  of  the  negro’s  life,  new 
phases  are  constantly  presenting  themselves  and  he  cannot 
be  victorious  unless  he  is  able  “to  show  a new  front  as  often 


Among;  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  389 

as  the  situation  shows  a new  peril.”  Life  was  started  at  a 
disadvantage  by  being  born  in  poverty  and  ignorance. 
This  network  of  circumstances  still  helps  to  bind  them 
down.  It  will  take  a great  deal  of  pluck  and  many  well- 
directed  efforts  to  accomplish  the  end  for  which  they  are 
striving.  However,  in  reviewing  the- course  of  the  negro’s 
progress,  wonder  and  amazement  arrest  our  attention  at 
every  step.  The  tabular  statement,  given  further  on,  is 
unquestionably  an  important  one  to  every  one  of  the  race. 
It  was  compiled  from  the  census  of  1900  and  data  fur- 
nished by  competent  persons  in  the  States. 

We  have  been,  without  doubt,  an  important  factor  in  the 
physical  development  of  this  country.  Every  industry 
in  the  South  which  entails  outdoor  and  factory  labor  is 
being  principally  done  by  colored  men.  An  important 
fact  connected  with  this  is,  notwithstanding  the  large 
number  of  colored  people  employed,  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  the  wheels  of  industry  being  clogged  by  “strikes.” 
They  seem  to  have  learned  the  lesson  that  the  interest  of 
their  employer  is  theirs  also ; therefore,  they  are  determined 
to  steadily  push  forward  the  industrial  prosperity  of  the 
country. 

The  following  data  shows  to  wdiat  extent  colored  labor 
is  employed  in  the  agricultural  and  mining  industries 
of  the  South. 

In  1901,  75  per  cent,  of  all  the  tobacco  grown  and  manu- 
factured, 90  per  cent,  of  the  cotton,  95  per  cent,  of  all  the 
sugar  and  molasses,  75  per  cent,  of  the  resin  and  tur- 
pentine, 70  per  cent,  of  the  corn  grown,  85  per  cent,  of  iron 
and  coal  mined,  70  per  cent,  of  the  wheat  and  rye,  65  per 
cent,  of  all  dairy  products,  and  75  per  cent,  of  the  live 
stock  raised,  were  produced  by  the  labor  of  colored  men. 

The  colored  population,  according  to  the  last  census, 
was  8,844,789.  Of  this  number  5,987,069  can  read  and 
write.  This  shows  how  rapidly  illiteracy  has  been  reduced 
among  them.  They  have  written  and  published  2,500 
books,  own  305  newspapers  and  200  magazines.  They 
have  $18,000,000  worth  of  school  and  $100,000,000  of 
church  property.  They  have  formed  many  beneficial  soci- 
eties in  the  States  which  pay  about  $1,800,000  annually 
for  relief  of  widows  and  orphans,  together  with  $875,000 


lH  CO  ^ 


390 


Official  History  of  Freemasonry 

for  sick  benefits  and  burial.  This  astounding  amount  is 
paid  exclusively  through  the  efforts  of  colored  people.  If 
a like  amount  was  applied  to  our  neglected  business  oppor- 
tunities, great  wealth  producing  agencies  could  be  estab- 
lished which  would  greatly  benefit  the  race  in  giving  hon- 
orable and  profitable  employment  to  many.  However, 
there  are  some  improvements  going  on  along  this  line. 

In  Oklahoma  a mining  company  has  been  organized  with 
a cash  capital  of  $100,000;  in  Xorth  Carolina  and  Missis- 
sippi a cotton  mill  with  quite  a large  capital.  “The  True 
Reformers,”  of  Richmond,  Va.,  started  by  Rev.  W.  W. 
Browne,  an  unusually  clever  man,  is  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful organizations  operated  by  colored  men.  They  own 
several  buildings,  and  have  not  only  the  finest  bank  in  Rich- 
mond, but  one  of  the  largest  colored  banks  in  the  world. 
In  the  list  below  will  be  found  still  further  evidences  of 
the  thrift  and  economy  of  many  well  known  citizens  in 
the  States:  Mr.  J.  W.  Bowen,  New  York,  $155,000;  Mrs. 

Glouster,  Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  $163,000:  Mr.  Roselle,  Xew 
York,  $300,000  ; Dr.  Peter  Ray,  Xew  York,  $252,000  ; Mrs. 
Daniel  Brooks,  Xew  York,  $210,000 ; Mr.  James  W.  Mars, 
Xew  York,  $87,000;  J.  McKee,  Pennsylvania.  $2,000,000; 
Mrs.  Fannie  Thompson,  $160,000 ; Ton  Lafon,  Louisiana, 
$1,000,000;  Mrs.  Bettie  Lewis,  Virginia,;  $156,000;  Wiley 
Jones,  Arkansas,  $150,000;  Dr.  John  R.  Francis,  $50,000; 
Daniel  Murray,  District  of  Columbia,  $50,000 ; Dr.  P. 
Guignon,  Xew  York,  $170,000;  Mr.  H.  Todd.  Georgia. 
$600,000 ; Mr.  William  Still,  $150,000 ; Ex-Governor  P. 
B.  S.  Pinchback,  $150,000;  Mr.  L.  A.  Bailey,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  $100,000;  Dr.  Charles  B.  Purviss,  $75,000:  Mr. 
John  F.  Cook,  Washington,  $270,000.  Many  others  have 
property  assessed  at  $10,000  to  $40,000.  Practically  most 
of  this  wealth  has  been  accumulated  since  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War. 

NEGRO  SLAVERY  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
Number  of  Slaves  in  the  United  States  from  1G20  to  1SG0. 

Census.  Census. 

1700 — GOT. SOT  5 1S30— 2,000.043 

1800—  S03.041  6 1S40 — 2.4ST.455 

1810—1.101.364  T 1S50— 3.204.313 

1820—1,538.038  S 1SG0— 3,953, T60 


Among  the  Colored  People  in  North  America.  39 1 


Number  of  Slaves  in  That  Part  of  the  U.  S.  Acquired  by  Per- 
chase  from  France. 


Census. 

1810. 

1820. 

1830. 

1840. 

1850. 

1860. 

Louisiana 

. .44,660 

69.064 

109.588 

168.452 

244.806 

330.726 

Arkansas  . 

1,617 

4,576 

19,935 

47.100 

111,115 

Missouri  . 

. . 3, oii 

10,222 

25,091 

5,824 

87,422 

114,931 

Iowa  .... 

16 

Total  

. .37,671 

80,903 

139,855 

246.645 

379,221 

557.772 

Total  in  all  the  States  and  territories  in  1860 3,953,760 

Total  number  of  free  colored  people  in  1860 488,070 


Total  in  all  the  States  and  territories  in  1860 3,953,760 

Total  number  of  free  colored  people  in  1860 488,070 

Total  in  1860 4,441,830 


THE  GROWTH  OF  THE  COLORED  RACE  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  FOR  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TEN 
YEARS,  FROM  1790  TO  1900. 


Year. 

Colored  Per  cent  of  total 

Increase 

Population.  Population. 

per  cent. 

1790  

757,208 

19.3 

1800  

..  ..1,002.037 

18.9 

32.33 

1810  

1,337.808 

19.0 

37.50 

1820  

1,771,656 

18.4 

28.59 

1830  

18.1 

31.44 

1840  

16.8 

23.40 

1850  

3,638,808 

15.7 

26.63 

1860  

14.1 

22.07 

1870  

12.7 

9.86 

18S0  

6,580.793 

13.1 

34.85 

1890  

7,488.788 

11.9 

11.93 

1900  

9,312,599 

8.1 

11.57 

June  1st,  1900,  the 

total  population  of 

the  L’nited  States  was 

76,303,387. 

The  above  table  was 

made  up  from  the  official  Census  from  the 

first  to  the  twelfth,  inclusive,  and  other  reliable  sources. 

POPULATION  AND 

WEALTH  OF  NEGROES  IN 

1900,  BY 

STATES. 

States.  Negro  pop. 

Homes  Farms 

Wealth  by 

Illiterate 

1900. 

owned,  owned. 

States  & Ter. 

persons. 

Alabama  . . . 827,303 

23,536  11,123 

$71,346,000 

336,605 

Alaska  ....  168 

6 

6,400 

6 

* Arizona  . . . 1,848 

85  1,769 

1,123.600 

211 

Arkansas  . . . 366.826 

16,838  9,991 

30.721,200 

113,453 

California  . . 11,045 

861  711 

21,064,400 

1,211 

Colorado  . . . 8,570 

462  53 

820,800 

962 

Connecticut  . 15,226 

599  76 

1,321,200 

1.441 

392  Official  History  of  Freemasonry 


States.  Negro  pop. 

Homes 

Farms 

Wealth  by 

Illiterate 

1900. 

owned. 

owned. 

States  & Ter. 

persons. 

Delaware  . . 

30,697 

1,297 

297 

82.405.600 

S.967 

Dist.  of  Col.. 

86,702 

3,964 

4 

35,507.600 

17.462 

Florida  .... 

230.730 

14,121 

5,607 

30.286.000 

64.816 

Georgia  1,034.813 

26,636 

9,547 

80,501.600 

379,067 

Hawaii 

233 

23 

413 

.... 

Idaho  

293 

36 

545 

32.400 

37 

Illinois  

85.078 

4,479 

545 

17,696.004 

12.903 

Indiana  .... 

57,505 

3,515 

389 

15,102,400 

10,594 

♦Indian  Ter. 

36.853 

3,509 

7,461 

12,942.000 

10.594 

Iowa 

12,693 

900 

98 

1,166.000 

1.962 

Kansas 

52,003 

5,489 

735 

14.791,600 

9.230 

Kentucky  . . 

284,706 

14,906 

4.240 

34.124,400 

58.137 

Louisiana  . . 

650.804 

20,463 

8,460 

56.105.600 

284.028 

Maine  

1,319 

121 

26 

116.800 

155 

Maryland  . . . 

235,064 

14,976 

2,8S2 

48.124.000 

63.033 

Massachusetts 

31.974 

1,094 

87 

2,752.000 

2,853 

Mississippi  . . 

910,070 

28,855 

18,368 

77,122.000 

313,312 

Minnesota  . . 

4,959 

140 

342 

1,633.600 

337 

Missouri  . . . 

161,234 

9,535 

1,901 

23.911.600 

36,390 

Michigan  . . . 

15,816 

1,573 

704 

1,482.400 

1,426 

Montana  . . . 

1,523 

75 

294 

157.200 

52 

Nebraska  . . 

6,269 

250 

257 

505.200 

333 

Nevada  .... 

134 

18 

160 

20.800 

29 

New  Hamp. 

662 

83 

7 

49,600 

70 

New  Jersey  . 

69,844 

2,588 

245 

15,573,600 

9.SS2 

New  York  . . 

99,232 

2,213 

557 

48,392.800 

9.180 

*N.  Mexico. 

1,610 

69 

1,393 

142.400 

271 

N.  Carolina  . 

624,469 

29,011 

13,204 

48.883.200 

208,132 

North  Dako  . 

286 

26 

1,317 

4S.800 

10 

Ohio  

96,901 

6,927 

1,001 

10,896.800 

14,107 

♦Oklahoma  . 

18,831 

2,530 

2,37S 

1,668.400 

3,628 

Oregon  .... 

1,105 

49 

260 

76,400 

S9 

Pennsylvania 

156,845 

3,978 

324 

42,419.600 

19.532 

Rhode  Island 

9,092 

319 

16 

848,000 

1.063 

S.  Carolina  . 

782,324 

26,870 

15,503 

44.20S.400 

2S3,SS3 

S.  Dakota... 

465 

46 

1.773 

42  800 

51 

Tennessee  . . 

480,243 

21,023 

7,602 

3S.570.800 

147.7S4 

Texas  

620.722 

33,292 

17,125 

47.767.200 

167.138 

Utah  

672 

19 

198 

47.600 

37 

Vermont  . . . 

S70 

49 

6 

61.600 

99 

Virginia  . . . 

660,722 

46.26S 

22.809 

51.412.000 

213.836 

Washington  . 

2.514 

161 

981 

226.400 

259 

W.  Virginia  . 

43.499 

1,983 

477 

3.299.200 

11.0S3 

Wisconsin  . . 

2,542 

167 

4S5 

246.400 

250 

Wyoming  . . 
On  b'd  ships. 

940 

6,394 

32 

157 

64,000 

141 

Totals  ...8,840,789 

372,444 

174,847 

937,S36,400 

2,S53.720 

♦The  above  table  does  not  include  school  and  church  property. 


\ 


Duke  University  Libraries 


D00553687Y 


